A 29-year-old fashion consultant and his colleague were allegedly thrashed by a group of youth in Connaught Place after they refused to share cigarettes with them, said the police on Sunday.
Victims Gaurav Patiyal and Rohit Bisht work in a leading fashion brand’s showroom in Connaught Place.
In his complaint, Gaurav stated that he and Rohit were smoking in the A-block parking lot at 9.55 p.m. on September 27 when a man approached them asking for a cigarette.
Hurled abuses
Gaurav refused as he did not have a spare cigarette. At this, the stranger started hurling abuses. The man left after threatening to teach them a lesson.
“He came back with two other men and attacked us. One of them was wearing a knuckleduster. He attacked Rohit on the face, while the other man hit him with an iron rod. I never imagined that such an incident could take place in one of the most secure places in the city,” said Gaurav.
Gaurav said they kept hitting Rohit until he collapsed, bleeding profusely from the head and face. He also sustained injuries on the hands.
Hearing the commotion, other staff members from the store rushed to their rescue.
However, the attackers fled the spot. A staff member informed the police about the incident and the victims were taken to Lady Hardinge Hospital.
“I required a few stitches and was discharged but Rohit is still undergoing treatment. Doctors said he has sustained serious injuries. I can identify the attackers,” said Gaurav.
“An FIR under IPC Section 308 [attempt to commit culpable homicide] has been registered at Connaught Place police station. The case is under investigation. We have obtained CCTV camera footage of the attack from a nearby shop,” said a police officer.
On September 23, five men consuming liquor outside a public toilet behind Regal Building in Connaught Place had allegedly attacked a man with a beer bottle.