Gardener bludgeoned to death in DLF Phase-1

A gardener was allegedly bludgeoned to death with a slab in the slums behind the marble market near Aravalli Biodiversity Park in DLF Phase-1 on Tuesday night. Police said the victim’s skull was crushed, suggesting that he was hit on the head multiple times with a slab or a large rock.

According to police, a preliminary probe has revealed that the incident took place around midnight and was reported to them around 7am by the victim’s brother.

Among the suspects is a milkman, who often partook in an evening drink with the victim, believed to be in his 30s, police said.

Police recovered two bottles of liquor, glasses, a few packs of beedis and leftover food from the crime spot, indicating that the victim was drinking alcohol with some acquaintances when he was killed. A team of forensic experts collected evidence from the spot and had zeroed in on a slab of rock, which might have been used to land several blows to the victim’s head.

According to police, the victim, identified by his first name as Gabbar, had returned to his house after work and ordered food.

“The victim and at least two of his friends were drinking in an alley between their rooms, which are adjacent to each other. It is possible that an argument ensued following which he was hit on the head by one of the people he was drinking with. The victim’s brother said that he was asleep in his room upstairs and did not hear any commotion during the night,” said a police official privy to the investigation, requesting anonymity.

A team of crime branch had been stationed at the spot to avoid any escalation in law and order.

The victim, a native of Chitrakoot in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh, had been working as a gardener in the city.

Karan Goyal, assistant commissioner of police, DLF, said, “We are recording the statements of neighbours and the victim’s family to ascertain the reason behind the murder. The suspects are yet to be arrested.”

A case was registered against the unidentified accused person/s under Section 302 (murder) of Indian Penal Code at DLF Phase 1 police station on Wednesday, said police.

First Published: May 09, 2019 03:17 IST