New Delhi: What was initially reported as an accidental injury from falling on an iron rod has turned out to be a murder over a cap in north west Delhi’s Vijay Vihar.According to police, the incident came to light on Feb 11 when a PCR call was received from a govt hospital about a minor boy being admitted with a serious injury. The injured teen was declared unfit to give a statement at the time. Later that night, around 10.50pm, he told doctors he had accidentally fallen on an iron rod from the roof of his home.Two days later, on Feb 13, the boy succumbed to his injuries. “A post-mortem conducted the following day revealed that the wound on his body was a stab injury caused by a sharp-edged weapon and not consistent with an accidental fall. Investigators said the findings indicated that the incident had been deliberately projected as an accident, while the actual cause of death was homicidal,” Additional CP (Rohini) Rajeev Ranjan said.A case was subsequently registered at Vijay Vihar police station and a probe was launched.During the investigation, police relied on local intelligence and apprehended another accused minor boy. During questioning, he disclosed that the three minor boys, including the one who was attacked were close friends. The boy and the third accused lived in the same building.“On the afternoon of Feb 11, the three boys were sitting on the roof and talking when the third accused picked up one boy’s cap and put it on. When the boy asked for it back, an argument broke out and escalated after he allegedly abused the third accused. Police said the third accused then asked the apprehended minor to hold the boy, after which he stabbed the boy with a sharp object”, a senior police officer said.After the stabbing, the two allegedly intimidated the injured teen and instructed him to tell others that he had been hurt in an accidental fall on an iron rod. They assured him they would arrange treatment and help him recover. Out of fear, the victim initially repeated the same version to his family and others, police said.While one accused minor has been apprehended, the main suspect is absconding along with his family members. Police teams are conducting searches to trace him.
