Congolese Man Beaten to Death in Delhi, Second Accused Arrested

Police officials around the scene of crime. (Photo: ANI)

A 23-year-old Congolese national was allegedly beaten to death by a group of men in south Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area on Friday night, police said. According to reports, Delhi police had earlier made an arrest. The second accused was arrested on Monday.

The incident took place around 11.45 PM, a night before his birthday, according to a report in The Indian Express. Olivier, the Congolese national, wanted to hire an auto. Three men from Munirka also wanted to board the same auto, said Ishwar Singh, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Delhi. An argument broke out, following which the group pounced on Olivier. As he tried to escape, they chased him for around 20-25 metres and attacked him again with stones.

On the basis of a complaint filed by the victim’s friend, a case of murder was registered at Vasant Kunj (north) police statio. The Embassy of the Republic of Congo was also informed. We have identified the accused from eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage.

A Senior Official to <i>The Indian Express </i>

A foreign national was allegedly beaten to death by unidentified people last night. (Photo: ANI)

According to The Indian Express report, Olivier lived in South Extension, and had started teaching French at a private institution recently. Olivier’s friend Sam, who was with him at the time of the attack said the three men were hurling racial abuses at him. Sam had reportedly gone to buy cigarettes, while Olivier hailed an auto-rickshaw. He alleged that it was a hate crime. However, Delhi Police continues to maintain it was over a brawl about an auto-rickshaw, the report added.

Local residents came to Olivier’s rescue and called up police. He was rushed to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The locals, however, could not identify the perpetrators or say what had led to the incident.