SSB constable stabbed to death by drunk beggar at CP

A 27-year-old Sashastra Seema Bal constable was stabbed to death in Connaught Place area on Monday. A beggar has been arrested for the murder, police said on Tuesday.

The victim has been identified as Selvaraj, who hails from Kerala. He was posted with the 48th Battalion of SSB in Jammu and Kashmir. According to police, the attack took place when Selvaraj was travelling from New Delhi railway station to Old Delhi railway station in an autorickshaw.

The killer was identified and arrested after screen grabs of CCTV footage were shared on WhatsApp. The arrested accused has been identified as Sikander, 35.

Last month, Selvaraj had gone to Kerala on 30 days’ leave.

On Monday, he was returning to join duty and was scheduled to board a connecting train from the capital. “Selvaraj arrived at New Delhi railway station at 8 pm,” said a police officer.

He then took an autorickshaw for Old Delhi railway station. The autorickshaw was at a traffic signal on Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg when he was approached by a beggar.

Sikander was in an inebriated condition and abused Selvaraj on his refusal to give money. “Selvaraj thrashed Sikander. The accused was carrying a knife and stabbed Selvaraj,” the officer added.

Selvaraj was declared brought dead at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. “CCTV footage of the area was analysed and it revealed the accused fleeing from the spot,” said Vijay Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi). SHO Connaught Place police station Mukesh Walia took CCTV grabs and circulated them on WhatsApp to all the beat staff of the police station.

Late on Tuesday, police succeeded in apprehending Sikander. A case of murder has been filed with Connaught Place police station. Delhi Police had earlier told SHOs to share information about cases among each other on WhatsApp.

It was part of an order passed by Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Deepak Mishra in January.