Man killed for objecting to public urination was promoting Swachh Bharat: Naidu

A 32-year-old e-rickshaw driver objected to youths urinating on the roadside near GTB metro station. The youths returned with their friends and allegedly thrashed the driver leading to his death. Naidu says he was promoting Swachh Bharat.

Union minister Venkaiah Naidu sought action on Monday against those who beat a 32-year-old e-rickshaw driver to death allegedly for objecting to some men urinating on the roadside in north Delhi’s GTB Nagar on Saturday evening.

Ravinder, 32, was thrashed near GTB Metro station in north Delhi after he objected to some youth urinating in public. (HT Photo)

Ravinder, a resident of Kishore Market area, was beaten with iron knuckles and stones wrapped in towels near gate number four of GTB Nagar Metro station when he was parking his e-rickshaw on the roadside.

“He was promoting Swachh Bharat. I spoke to the police commissioner and asked him to take the strongest action possible against the culprits,” tweeted Naidu, minister for housing and urban poverty alleviation.

The campaign, inaugurated to coincide with Gandhi Jayanti, aims to realise its vision of ‘Clean India’ by October 2, 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Police said Ravinder noticed 2-3 men, who appeared to be students, urinating on the roadside. “Ravinder was fed up of this and told them that their habit led to bad smell and poor hygiene in the area,” Milind Dumbere, deputy commissioner of police (north-west), said.

An argument ensued in which the men threatened Ravinder and said they would come back with their friends. They returned around 8pm with around 15 other men who allegedly thrashed Ravinder.

Ravinder managed to call his brother after they left the crime spot and he rushed to him and took him home. But by the time they reached, Ravinder’s condition had begun to worsen and he was taken to Bara Hindu Rao Hospital where he was declared brought dead.

Married on May 9 last year, Ravinder lived with his wife, parents and 3 brothers in Kishore Market, a stone’s throw from where he was killed.

Read: He offered to pay if they used public toilet, they beat him to death