A 33-year-old man was stabbed to death allegedly by his neighbour inside Ambedkar Nagar police station in south Delhi on Tuesday. The accused, who allegedly used a file needle as a weapon, was apprehended from the spot.
Two police officers have been suspended and disciplinary action has been taken against the Station House Officer (SHO) for lapse in discharge of their duties.
Anil, a resident of Dakshinpuri and a driver by profession, was stabbed by Vishal inside the investigating officer’s (IO’s) room after the two were taken to the police station following a scuffle.
“It was nothing. It started when Vishal abused him and Anil said that he should talk to him in a proper manner as he was older,” said Angelina Lovely, the victim’s wife.
Birthday celebration
The quarrel broke out right after Anil and his family finished celebrating his daughter’s 12th birthday on Monday night.
Anil’s relative Joseph said that his brother-in-law was coming back to the house after dropping off his mother, who lives nearby, when Vishal stopped him and started abusing him.
Anil told Vishal to talk to him in a proper manner, and then called his wife, who went to summon the family of the accused.
Ms. Lovely said that Vishal’s mother and sister, instead of stopping the accused, also started fighting.
“They started fighting with me and even hit me. Vishal then pulled out a knife and threatened Anil and me. His mother and sister also pulled out a sharp object,” she alleged.
Ms. Lovely then called the police around 1 a.m., who took Anil and Vishal to the police station. Families of the both the parties also came to the station.
Anil’s family has claimed that the cousin of the accused threatened them outside the police station. Ms. Lovely alleged that the cousin told her: “ Iska result tumhe thodi der main pata chal jaega [You’ll see the result of this scuffle very soon]”. The police are trying to verify this claim.
In the same room
Meanwhile, the two men inside the station were taken to the IO’s office. “Around 3 a.m., an officer came running and told his colleague that my husband had been stabbed by Vishal. He also said that Vishal was hurt,” Ms. Lovely said.
Explaining what happened inside the room, a senior police officer said that the IO had gone to answer a PCR call, leaving a constable to watch over the two men.
“The constable was summoned by another officer and left the two men alone. This was when Vishal attacked Anil with a file needle,” he said.
“The case’s IO Bhram Prakash and constable Ashok have been placed under suspension. SHO Rakesh Kumar, Mr. Prakash and Ashok have been directed to report to the Police Lines,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (south-east) Romil Baaniya.
Six wounds
Ms. Lovely claimed that the police took over 30 minutes before bringing Anil out of the room.
“My husband’s friend took him to the hospital, but he died on the way,” she said, adding that Vishal in fact suffered no injuries.
“Anil suffered six puncture wounds, three on the neck, one each on chest, abdomen and back. Vishal was not hurt,” said a senior police officer.
Mr. Anil was declared brought dead when he was taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre, said Mr. Baaniya.
“A case under Section 302 (punishment for murder) of the IPC has been registered against Vishal, and he was produced before the court on Tuesday,” the DCP added.
