Man Out to Have Ice Cream Stabbed by Neighbour in Delhi’s Brijpuri; Paramilitary Deployed

Police said on Saturday that a 20-year-old man, who had gone out with his cousin for ice cream, was stabbed by his neighbor after a minor dispute in Brijpuri, northeast Delhi. They said the accused, Mohamed Zaid, 20, had not yet been arrested.

Paramilitary forces have been deployed in the area to prevent any sectarian flare-ups. Police said an initial investigation revealed that the incident occurred due to allegations of staring and throwing abuse.

According to the police, Rahul went out with his 19-year-old cousin Sonu at around 10pm on Friday for an after-dinner ice cream. There, he met Zaid, who lives on the same street, and got into a fight with him.

Zaid then stabbed Rahul in the lower abdomen. They said Sonu, who tried to help his brother, was also injured in the clash.

“A petty issue led to the fight. Zaid attacked Rahul with a blunt object, most likely a knife. When Sonu intervened, he was also injured. Efforts are underway to arrest Zaid,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East) Joy Terkey said.

The officer said that Zaid, who escaped, has been booked under IPC Section 307 (attempted murder) and 324 (voluntarily causing harm with dangerous weapons or means) at Diyalpur Police Station.

Police said Zaid works as a carpenter with his father, while Rahul provides crisps and other foods, and his father sells sweets.

Meanwhile, Rahul is admitted to the intensive care ward of GTB Hospital.

Rahul’s sister Madhu demanded severe punishment for the accused.

“We learned that Rahul was stabbed last night. When we ran to the spot, we saw Zaid running away. The police registered a case and took our statements as well. We want a strict punishment for him,” she said.

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj attacked the BJP over the incident.

“A stabbing incident in Brijpuri district of Delhi. I don’t feel this is the national capital. Now there is a Hindu-Muslim angle too. Now BJP can raise a shout, and can also interrogate LG sir,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.

Delhi Police is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Brijpuri is one of the areas which witnessed major clashes during the 2020 North East Delhi riots which were ostensibly sparked by anti-CAA agitation. The riots claimed the lives of more than 50 people, the majority of whom were Muslims.

(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)