Outer Delhi Tragedy: Man Dies After Collapsing, Passerby Attempts Theft Instead of Offering Aid
A distressing incident unfolded in Outer Delhi's Ranhola area on Saturday morning, where a man collapsed unconscious on the road, only to have a passerby allegedly attempt to steal his belongings rather than provide immediate assistance. The victim later succumbed, and police have launched a manhunt for the suspects involved in this shocking episode of callousness.
Early Morning Incident in Vikas Nagar
According to police sources, the event occurred in Vikas Nagar at approximately 4 am. A senior police officer stated, "It appeared from the footage that he may have suffered a heart attack or a seizure. However, we are waiting for the post-mortem report to ascertain the exact cause of death. The victim is yet to be identified." The lack of identification adds another layer of complexity to this already tragic case.
CCTV Footage Reveals Disturbing Sequence
CCTV footage captured the harrowing scene. As the man lay unconscious, two individuals on a scooter approached. The pillion rider initially picked up the victim's mobile phone, seemingly under the assumption that he was intoxicated. He then returned to the scene and began rummaging through the man's pockets in a brazen attempt at theft.
Police indicated that the suspect appeared to find nothing of value. However, just as he was preparing to depart, he noticed a nearby CCTV camera and hastily fled the location with the scooter rider, abandoning the victim in his vulnerable state.
Delayed Response and Police Action
The victim remained unattended on the road for several hours. It was only around 8 am, when local residents began to gather, that authorities were finally notified. Police recovered the body and sent it for a post-mortem examination to determine the precise cause of death. Investigations are actively ongoing, with officers scrutinizing all available evidence.
A senior officer confirmed that a case of theft has been officially registered. "We are thoroughly examining CCTV footage and other leads to identify and apprehend the suspects involved," the officer emphasized, underscoring the seriousness with which this matter is being treated.
A Troubling Pattern in Delhi
Tragically, this is not an isolated incident in the national capital. Similar cases have surfaced in the past, highlighting a disturbing trend of apathy and criminal opportunism:
- January 2023: A man named Vikas, an employee of a private company, lost control of his motorbike near Ghitorni and collapsed. CCTV footage showed three men attempting to steal his motorcycle instead of offering help. The trio later met with an accident, while Vikas, left unattended in the cold, succumbed to his injuries.
- 2017: A 35-year-old man, Naresh Kumar, lay bleeding for nearly 12 hours on a roadside near ISBT Kashmere Gate after being hit by a vehicle. He recalled that a person offered him water but subsequently stole his wallet and a bag containing over Rs 15,000 before departing.
These repeated occurrences raise critical questions about public safety, civic responsibility, and the urgent need for heightened awareness and intervention in emergency situations across Delhi.
