A 19-year-old youth in custody died and another was injured, on Tuesday, after they allegedly jumped out of a moving police vehicle during transit in the Vasant Kunj North area of Delhi’s southwest. Family members of the victims blocked the Samalkha-Kapashera road and pelted stones at the police, alleging custodial death. Police have initiated legal proceedings and a judicial inquiry is underway into the youth’s death. According to police, the incident took place near Vasant Kunj North police station while police were taking the accused to lock-up, following their arrest in an arms and vehicle theft case on Tuesday. On Tuesday, Head constable Balbir Singh and constable Nitesh were on routine motorcycle patrol around 3 pm when they noticed two men on a motorcycle acting suspiciously.
“When police ordered them to stop, they tried to flee but were apprehended after a brief chase,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Surendra Choudhary said.
Later, they both were identified as Vikas alias Majnu (28) and Ravi Sahni alias Ravi Kaliya (19), both residents of Samalkha in Delhi. “A country-made pistol and a live cartridge were recovered from Vikas. The motorcycle they were riding was found to be stolen in a case registered at Palam village police station and was being driven by Ravi,” the DCP said.
Police registered a case at Kapashera police station. Both accused were medically examined and were being transported in a government vehicle to Vasant Kunj North lock-up.
However, while the vehicle was taking a turn near the police station, both men allegedly jumped out of the slow-moving van in an apparent attempt to escape.
Both accused sustained injuries due to the jump and were taken to IGI Hospital, where Ravi Sahni was declared dead on arrival. Vikas is undergoing treatment for minor abrasions, the police statement said.
On the other hand, the victim’s family is accusing police of custodial killing of Ravi saying that police picked both of them from home and were taken for inquiry to some forested area.
“They have taken Ravi along with two other individuals from their houses at around 11 am, saying that they will be enquired in arms theft case, but it was only late in the night that we got to know about Ravi’s death. “ the family member added.
We want strict action against those who are responsible for his death,” the family member said.
“We are really sure that the Police has taken them to the forest near Kapashera, where they released one of them. They tied Ravi and Vikas to the tree and started beating. After which, due to suffering severe injuries, Ravi died on the spot. Whereas, Vikas has been taken to the hospital where he is being treated.” He added.
Alleging police of killing Ravi and demanding action against the accused police officers, family of the victim blocked the Samalkha-Kapashera road and pelted stones at the police. The DCP then reached the protest site as they were not allowing vehicle movement. “We are requesting the protestors not to block the road. We are here to try and maintain a law and order situation,” the DCP said.
