Man stabbed to death, 3 hurt in clash over parking in Paharganj

NEW DELHI: A 32-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death and three others sustained severe wounds after a group of men clashed over the parking of a vehicle in

NEW DELHI: A 32-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death and three others sustained severe wounds after a group of men clashed over the parking of a vehicle in central Delhi’s Paharganj area, barely 50 meters away from the police station, around 10pm on Saturday.

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The police said the brawl started after the three men had an argument over who will park their motorcycle outside a juice shop in the area.

The police said Bablu, 27, a rickshaw puller and Rahul, 19, a delivery boy, had gone to Bharat juice shop outside the police station to have fresh juice. Meanwhile, three men came on a motorbike and parked their two-wheeler outside the shop, also a stand for rickshaw pullers. When one of the rickshaw pullers, Sunil, asked them to remove the vehicle, the men started abusing him.

This led to an argument and a scuffle ensued between the groups. Bablu and Rahul reportedly intervened but were thrashed by the three men. Bablu and Rahul retaliated. The men allegedly threatened to return and teach them both a lesson.

“The matter was resolved by the locals. But a few minutes later, the three men arrived with their associates, armed with knives and sticks to attack Bablu and Rahul. When Bablu tried to resist, the men attacked him with a beer bottle.

“They smashed the bottle on his head and then stabbed him with the broken glass. Bablu collapsed on the spot. When Rahul tried to intervene, even he was stabbed. The juice shop owner, Vinod along with a bus driver, Chikna, who tried to stop the men also sustained severe injuries,” a senior police officer said.

The men then fled towards Delhi Gate. Locals rushed Bablu to the JPN hospital and he died during treatment. The other three have been admitted and are recuperating.

Police said that worked as a rickshaw puller, while Rahul was a delivery boy with a courier company.

“We have accessed the CCTV footage from the area and are examining it to identify the men. We have also sought help from the local intelligence to trace the men. A case of murder and attempt to murder has been registered at Paharganj police station and the investigation has begun,” a senior police officer said.

The police have set up two teams to track down the men. Raids are being carried out in different areas. Sources said the police had zeroed down on two persons and detained them for questioning.

The teams are also getting the sketches of the three persons made. “We have recorded detailed statements of the eyewitnesses who were present at the spot during the scuffle. We have also got the registration number of the bike from a local that will help us trace the owner. We have given the details to the transport authority,” an investigator said.