Youth thrashed to death in Cantonment area

A 22-year-old man, identified as Akash, died due to internal injuries in an attack by a rival group of youths who thrashed him mercilessly in the Cantonment area of southwest Delhi on Monday. Three of the accused have been arrested in connection with his murder.

Akash had sustained internal injuries in a fight with local youths in a park at Sadar Bazar in the Cantonment on July 17. He was taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre where he died due to haemorrhage caused by internal injuries after he was kicked and thrashed with fisticuffs and sticks by the accused on Monday evening.

An officer was sent to record Akash’s statement, but doctors had declared him unfit. His brother Sunny claimed that Akash was beaten up by Narender, Neeraj, Rahul, Gautam and their associates, all in their early twenties, said Surender Kumar, DCP (southwest). “The three accused — Narender, Neeraj and Ajeet, all 21 years old — were arrested by the police while accused Laxman and Vishal are absconding since the day of incident and all out efforts are being made to arrest them at the earliest,” he said.

The police said Akash’s permanent residence was at Rana Pratap Bagh in Sangam Park area, but he had been living with his grandmother Anguri in Sadar Bazar for some time. He was pursuing Class 12 studies through distant education.

“During inquiry, it was revealed that the quarrel between Akash and his assailants had erupted due to some old rivalry,” the DCP said. A case under Section 307 was registered at the Cantt police station after the attack on Akash and now the charge of murder has been added to it, said a senior officer.

Over a week ago, a fight between two groups was reported to the police, in which Akash’s brother Sunny was involved. There was an allegation that the deceased had also been involved in it, said the officer.