Shopkeeper's Refusal for Free Cigarettes Turns Fatal
A dispute over free cigarette packets turned deadly in West Delhi, resulting in the brutal stabbing of a 40-year-old shopkeeper. The incident, which occurred on Sunday night in the H-Block area of West Patel Nagar, led to the death of Rajender Kumar, a resident of Baljeet Nagar.
Police Investigation and Arrest After Exchange of Fire
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central District, Nidhin Valsan, the victim was discovered stabbed at his paan shop and was rushed to RML Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. A case was immediately registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The police launched an investigation, analysing CCTV footage from the vicinity. The probe revealed that a group of six individuals, including the main accused and five minors, all school dropouts from Farid Puri, had visited the shop. The group, known for committing thefts and robberies, had consumed liquor before arriving and demanded free cigarette packets.
When the shopkeeper, Rajender Kumar, refused their demand and asked for payment, a heated quarrel erupted. "They stabbed him severely, and he was later declared dead after being taken to the hospital. The offenders then fled the scene after the stabbing," stated DCP Valsan.
Main Accused Nabbed, Criminal History Revealed
Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by Inspector Naveen Kumar located the primary accused, Md Mehtab alias Raja (19), on Tuesday night. He was hiding under the Shadipur Flyover near the railway line.
The arrest was not without drama. When the police instructed Mehtab to surrender, he allegedly opened fire on the police party. The police retaliated in self-defence, and one bullet struck the accused in his right leg. He was subsequently overpowered, disarmed, and taken to RML Hospital for treatment.
The police investigation further uncovered that Mehtab had a prior criminal record and was previously involved as a juvenile in a 2024 robbery-cum-attempt-to-murder case. Significant evidence was recovered from him, including the two knives used in the crime, a country-made pistol, one live cartridge, one empty cartridge, and the clothes he wore during the incident.
In a subsequent development on Wednesday, the five minors allegedly involved in the murder were also apprehended by the police, bringing all the accused in the case into custody.
