Crime Capital: One murder in every 2 days this past fortnight
Delhi has witnessed a worrying surge in violent acts of crime over the past two weeks, with a series of murders capturing the public’s attention and raising concerns about the city’s safety. The incidents, including shootings, stabbings, and domestic killings, have not only shocked residents but also ignited a political debate ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled for February next year.
In one of the most shocking incidents, a 52-year-old trader was shot dead early on Saturday morning in Shahdara district while returning from his regular morning walk. The police reported the assailants fired multiple rounds at the victim, but the family claims the man had no known enemies and had never received any death threats. Authorities suspect it could have been a case of mistaken identity.
A 45-year-old woman was found murdered at her West Delhi house on Friday. Initially believed to be a robbery gone wrong, police soon arrested the woman’s younger son, Sawan, who confessed to strangling her after a bitter argument about his desire to marry a woman she disapproved of.
Impulsive acts of rage
52-year-old trader was shot dead early on Saturday morning in Shahdara while returning from his regular morning walk
Woman murdered on Friday by her son after argument about his desire to marry out of his own choice
64-year-old man stabbed multiple times, his throat was slit by his former cook who allegedly planned to rob the man to fund a vacation
A 26-year-old man killed 3 members of his family as his father abused him publicly and warned him of disinheriting him from property
Man suffering from mental illness attacked his parents and uncle in Mayapuri; he died while trying to flee from police custody
Class VI student was killed following a minor altercation with classmates over “brushing of shoulders” in Vasant Vihar
In Mangolpuri, a 19-year-old man was shot dead after a petty argument escalated with the accused pulling out a pistol
Fight between neighbours in Govindpuri turned violent over shared toilet use resulting in the death of a 24-year-old man
Another horrifying case emerged in South Delhi’s upscale Panchsheel Park on November 25, where a 64-year-old man was found dead at his residence. The victim, a well-established individual, was stabbed multiple times, and his throat was slit. Police investigations led to the arrest of a former cook who allegedly planned to rob the man to fund a vacation but ended up killing him when the victim unexpectedly woke up during the execution of the crime.
In Neb Sarai, a 26-year-old man allegedly murdered his entire family—his mother, father, and sister—following a heated argument over a property dispute. Sources revealed that the man had been scolded by his father earlier, and the family had planned to transfer property ownership to his sister. The tragedy was said to be an impulsive act of rage stemming from a combination of shame and financial frustration.
In West Delhi’s Mayapuri area, a man attacked his parents and uncle before attempting to escape police custody. The man, identified as a 26-year-old suffering from mental illness, had previously shown signs of aggression.
A heartbreaking incident also took place at a private school in Vasant Vihar, where a class six student was killed following a minor altercation with classmates over “brushing of shoulders”. Police indicated that the fight escalated rapidly, and the boy was allegedly strangulated.
In Mangolpuri, a 19-year-old man was shot dead after a petty argument escalated into a confrontation. The assailant, apparently angered by a trivial dispute, pulled out a pistol and shot the victim at close range. Similarly, a fight between neighbours in Govindpuri turned violent, resulting in the death of a 24-year-old man who was stabbed by a neighbour after a dispute over shared toilet use.
The sheer brutality of these killings has raised an alarm about law and order in the city. Political leaders, particularly from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have used the opportunity to blame the BJP-led central government for what they claim is the worsening crime situation.
AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday lashed at the BJP-led Centre over “worrisome” law and order in the National Capital and asserted the situation would have been different if his party’s government exercised control over the Delhi Police.
“Delhi Police is not in our control, otherwise, the situation in Delhi would not have been this bad. Just as I fixed schools, hospitals, and electricity, I would have fixed law and order too,” he said.
