In a case of mistaken identity, a youth was allegedly beaten to death and his friend severely thrashed after guards at the Azadpur wholesale market in northwest Delhi took them for apple thieves on Thursday morning. A 38-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.
The arrested accused, Sanju, was in an inebriated state and there was no personal rivalry between him and the victims, a senior police officer said.
The deceased, Sanjay (25), and his friend Raunak were labourers who loaded and unloaded fruit and vegetable cartons at the wholesale market. While Sanjay died in a hospital, Raunak is still recovering, the police said.
According to the police, the incident occurred about 9.30 pm on Wednesday night when Sanjay and Raunak were walking out of the market with a carton of apples and they were mistaken to be thieves, following which a group of guards allegedly thrashed them.
An inebriated Sanju, who was one of the guards, then took the injured duo to his rented room, where he tied them up in chairs and thrashed them severely.
Some locals in the area called up the police and the duo were rushed to a hospital, where Sanjay died and Raunak is still recovering.
On Thursday, locals staged a protest against the law and order situation in the area and alleged police inaction in the case. When the police went there to arrest Sanju, some locals also pelted stones at the police team in which a few officials were injured, the police said.
Agitated locals also allegedly attacked some vehicles. The situation was brought under control after senior officials intervened and Sanjay’s body was sent for post-mortem examination, the police said. “Investigation is underway and more persons can be arrested depending on the evidence and the course of the probe,” the police added.
