A late-night altercation turned into a brutal revenge killing in Outer Delhi after a 60-year-old watchman was allegedly beaten with a stick and deliberately crushed under an SUV by four youths in the Peeragarhi area, police said on Tuesday.
The victim, identified as Bijender, worked as a watchman at a tempo stand near the entrance of Peeragarhi village. Police said the accused attacked him in the early hours of Sunday before running him over twice with a Mahindra Bolero Neo.
The incident initially appeared to be a road accident until investigators discovered evidence suggesting a deliberate killing.
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CCTV footage exposed chilling sequence
According to NDTV, a PCR call was received around 4 am reporting that a man was lying seriously injured on the road near the tempo stand. When officers reached the spot, they found Bijender’s body soaked in blood.
During the inspection of the crime scene, investigators noticed long tyre skid marks and multiple injuries inconsistent with a routine accident. CCTV footage later revealed the sequence of events that unfolded moments before the killing.
Police said a black Bolero Neo stopped near the stand, and one of the accused stepped out carrying a stick. He allegedly approached Bijender and began assaulting him. As the watchman tried to escape, the SUV driver accelerated toward him and ran him over.
Investigators said the accused drove over Bijender a second time even after he attempted to get up and flee.
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Revenge plot linked to earlier dispute
According to NDTV, a joint team from the local police station and special staff launched a manhunt using surveillance inputs, CCTV footage, and local intelligence. The accused were intercepted near Mundka Industrial Area while allegedly attempting to flee toward Haridwar.
Police arrested Vinay, a BCA student from Bahadurgarh, and Ayush Chauhan from Najafgarh. Two minors accompanying them were also detained.
During interrogation, police learned that one of the minors had allegedly argued with Bijender nearly a month earlier and felt insulted after being verbally abused during the confrontation. Investigators believe the accused planned the attack in retaliation.
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Police probing gang links
According to NDTV, police said the accused had removed the SUV’s original number plates in an attempt to avoid detection. The vehicle was later traced through technical analysis and found to be registered in the name of a relative of one of the minors.
Officers have recovered both the Bolero Neo and the stick allegedly used in the attack. Mobile phones, social media activity, and call records of the accused are also being examined.
Investigators further said one of the arrested men and a minor had allegedly been involved in a previous violent incident in Haryana’s Bahadurgarh area. Police are now probing whether the group has links to any criminal network or gang activity.