The New Year celebrations in the national capital turned tragic as a wave of violence swept across Delhi, resulting in three separate stabbing incidents that left an equal number of people dead on Thursday evening.
Tailor Killed After Confronting Noisy Youths
The first incident occurred in the Lal Bagh area of northwest Delhi. Bihari Lal, a 50-year-old tailor, had just returned home from his job in Shastri Nagar when he encountered a group of juveniles creating a disturbance with loud music and shouting. Lal asked them to stop, which escalated into a heated argument.
During the altercation, one of the juveniles stabbed Lal. Police reported that the victim was also kicked multiple times during the fight. Bihari Lal was rushed to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Authorities from the Adarsh Nagar Police Station have arrested one juvenile and recovered the weapon used in the attack. A search is ongoing for the other individuals involved. An FIR has been registered, and investigators are reviewing eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage from the locality.
Neighbours and family members of the victim alleged that the group was notorious for causing trouble. "He had just returned from duty and was parking his cycle when they came and started abusing everyone," recounted Dimple, a neighbour. She stated Lal had only asked them to refrain from using abusive language as women and children were present.
A relative, Pushpa, claimed the group had been terrorising residents for some time. "They keep throwing bottles, stones and sticks, and nobody does anything. We complained earlier, but no action was taken," she alleged, adding that four boys were involved and stabbed Lal three times.
E-Rickshaw Driver Stabbed in Mangolpuri Altercation
Hours later, violence erupted in outer Delhi's Mangolpuri. An e-rickshaw driver named Vikas was fatally stabbed during a fight. According to police, Vikas and his friend Sandeep, a 20-year-old daily-wage labourer, were sitting together when a group of youths initiated the altercation.
"During the altercation, one of the accused stabbed Vikas, causing fatal injuries. Sandeep also suffered a minor lacerated wound," a police officer said. Both were taken to a nearby hospital, where Vikas was pronounced dead. Preliminary investigations point to pre-existing enmity between the victims and the attackers.
Police have apprehended all six accused in this case, which includes four juveniles.
15-Year-Old Boy Stabbed to Death in Sultanpuri
In a third incident on the same evening, a 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death in the Sultanpuri area. Police received information around 11:30 pm about a group of men attacking the minor with a knife. A police team found the injured boy lying on the road with multiple stab wounds.
The victim was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead. His identity has not been disclosed. Police have arrested Vikram, a 30-year-old with a history of crime and six prior convictions, for the alleged murder. During questioning, Vikram revealed two others were with him during the stabbing, and a search for them is underway.
The boy's mother, Bali, gave a harrowing account, stating her son had gone out to get juice when he was attacked. "I ran downstairs... and begged them not to harm my son. Instead, they took out a knife and attacked me. I somehow ran into a shop, where I saw my son being stabbed in front of my eyes," she said.
She further alleged that the accused had earlier entered her house armed with weapons and that she had informed the police, but no action was taken. The boy was her only son. Police stated the motive for this killing is yet to be ascertained.
The series of violent incidents on New Year's Eve has raised serious concerns about public safety and police responsiveness in the capital, with families of the victims alleging that prior complaints about the perpetrators went unheeded.
