Locals blocked the road and protested against the killing. (file)

New Delhi:

The killing of a 27-year-old boy in central Delhi has triggered protest by locals who suspect a communal angle as they claim the victim was associated with the right wing outfit Bajrang Dal and the killers were Muslim men. However, police say the fight that led to the murder was over a minor issue and had no communal link to it.

Two of the victim’s friends were also injured in the incident, which was reported from Ranjeet Nagar on Wednesday.

Locals blocked the road and protested against the killing.

On October 12, the victim, Nitesh, was standing near his house with his friends Monty and Alok when he got into a fight with three boys — Ufiza, Abbas, and Adnan — who were on a motorcycle, Deputy Commissioner of Police Shweta Chauhan explained, when the latter group violently attacked the victims with sticks and iron rods, and escaped. 

“Nitesh was admitted to a hospital because of his critical condition, where he died late Saturday night. The police handed over the body to the family members after the post-mortem,” DCP Chauhan said.

According to the police, many cases are already registered against Nitesh and Alok. In the CCTV footage as well, Nitesh and his friends were seen landing the first blows on the other group. 

Some locals claim Nitesh recently joined the Bajrang Dal and that’s why he was targeted by Muslims. They further said that a mob from the nearby mosque came to beat up Nitesh, although the police deny this. 

Cops maintain a minor quarrel escalated into the killing, and there’s no communal angle to it. They have registered a murder case and are looking for the three accused.