Dentist murder: Delhi cops caution against rumours after communal tweets

The accused in the murder of Pankaj Narang, a dentist killed by a mob in west Delhi for protesting rash driving, are not Bangladeshis, police said on Saturday, cautioning against rumours after some Twitter users gave a communal colour to the incident.

The accused in the murder of Pankaj Narang, a dentist killed by a mob in west Delhi for protesting rash driving, are not Bangladeshis, police said on Saturday, cautioning against rumours after some Twitter users gave a communal colour to the incident.

Delhi police arrested 5 people after the 40-year-old dentist was allegedly beaten to death by a group. Police cautioned against rumours spread on Twitter that the murder was a communal killing. (Ravi Choudhary/ HT Photo)

“All the accused are from Uttar Pradesh,” joint commissioner of police Deependra Pathak said, reacting to tweets that Narang was killed because he and his son were celebrating India’s win against Bangladesh at World T20 championship on Thursday.

Nine people, including four juveniles and a middle-aged woman, have been detained in the case. Most of the accused are e-rickshaw drivers in Vikaspuri and fishmongers from a nearby market who live in a slum.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor described the incident as horrific and tweeted: “My thoughts go to his distraught family, esp his son. But let’s not communalize this murder (sic).”

Soon after, Hindu Sena chief Vishnu Gupta visited Narang’s house and spoke about problems caused by Bangladeshis in the area. He described Narang’s death as “the murder of a Hindu”.

Leaders of the BJP too visited his house, while neighbours of the victim met chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Kejriwal said he has requested lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung to provide security to Narang’s friends and family.

“I spoke to LG, who immediately agreed,” Kejriwal posted on Twitter.

Celebrating India’s win, Narang, his seven-year-old son and nephew came out of their home around 30 minutes past Wednesday midnight and started playing cricket in their car park.

The ball flew into the bylane and Narang and his son ran after it. Narang saw two youths on a bike approaching them. When he raised his hand to stop the biker, it grazed the rider’s body.

An argument broke out, and Narang slapped the biker and seized his motorcycle and keys.

The duo returned 15 minutes later with more than a dozen people carrying blunt objects. Narang was dragged out of his home and brutally assaulted.

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