Rahul Rajput, an 18-year-old Delhi University student was lynched to death allegedly over his friendship with a girl belonging to Muslim community in northwest Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar on Wednesday. Rahul was a second-year journalism student.
Two years ago, another Delhi university student, Ankit Saxena was murdered under similar circumstances.
According to the police, the victim was friends with a woman from his locality but her family was against the friendship. On Wednesday evening, the woman’s relatives saw her with the victim. They allegedly called him to Nanda Road on some pretext. When Rajput reached the spot, he was physically assaulted by a group of four-five people, allegedly including the woman’s brothers, a senior police officer said.
In a CCTV footage, the woman can be seen with Rajput, trying to protect him from the attackers. The uncle of the deceased said in his statement that his nephew and the woman knew each other for close to two years. They lived in the same locality but the woman’s parents, and especially her brothers, were against the friendship, he added.
“On Wednesday, around 7 pm, I got a call from my friend who informed us that four-five people were beating up my nephew. When I reached the place, I found that my nephew was being beaten up brutally by the woman’s brothers and their associates. They slapped, punched and kicked him,” he mentioned in his complaint. The victim’s uncle also alleged that the accused had earlier threatened his nephew.
He said that the accused told him that his nephew talked to their sister and they did not like it. They said they would kill him if he continued to speak to her, the complainant said.
His father said that after some time, Rajput started complaining of body ache, was unable to see anything and suffered vomiting. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died during the course of treatment.
“The deceased did not have any visible injury. A post-mortem examination was conducted, and the doctor opined that rupturing of the spleen led to his death,” said Vijayanta Arya, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest).
The police have registered a case under section 302 (murder) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and arrested Md Raj, Manwar Husaain and three minors based on a statement given by the woman, who is now prime witness in the case.
Manwar Hussain’s father, however, maintained that they don’t have any relation with the woman concerned.
Reacting to the incident, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said the government will ensure justice is done and announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for the victim’s family. “This is a horrific crime. A hard-working boy has been killed. All culprits will be punished. Whenever they are apprehended, we will ensure that the best lawyers are present to make sure they are brought to justice. Rs 10 lakh will be disbursed for the family,” he said.
