GHAZIABAD: A 22-year-old bled to death in strange circumstance outside a police booth on Sunday night after injuring his hand when he repeatedly punched a glass door in frustration as the cops inside did not respond to him for around 40 minutes.Originally from Siwan in Bihar, Rajkumar had stopped in front of the booth in Sanjay Nagar to report an assault by an autorickshaw driver.But this was a pink booth. Inside were two women constables who did not open the booth’s door as they were scared by his aggressive banging and shouting.According to police, Rajkumar, a car mechanic from Madhuban Bapudham, was drunk and had argued with the auto driver over fare.The argument escalated into a scuffle, following which he went to the booth, police assistance kiosks staffed by women constables to handle complaints involving women and public safety.Frustrated after receiving no response, Rajkumar moved to another side of the booth and punched a glass panel on the door.The shattered glass sliced through his hand and causing profuse bleeding, appearing to have sliced a vein.After some time, he stumbled and collapsed.DCP (city) Dhawal Jaiswal said the women constables had alerted the nearest police chowki.“A ‘leopard’ motorcycle patrol reached the spot within eight minutes and shifted the injured man to MMG Hospital, where doctors declared him dead,” he added.CCTV footage from the booth was examined and the autorickshaw driver was detained for questioning.“We are examining the sequence of events leading to his death,” the DCP said.Rajkumar’s wife is eight months pregnant, his family said.“Whether he had consumed liquor or not is beside the point. If someone approaches police injured and begging for help, shouldn’t they receive immediate assistance?” asked Ritesh, his brother.He added that the family would approach senior police officers over the handling of the incident.The family also alleged that an ambulance reached the booth after a delay and did not have a first-aid kit, forcing staff to arrange basic treatment before taking Rajkumar to hospital.Police have not commented on the allegation.No case has been registered so far.
