NEW DELHI: Five people, including three bouncers, a nightclub manager and his wife, have been arrested in connection with the death of a 29-year-old driver who was allegedly assaulted after beer spilled on the woman at a party in north Delhi, police said on Tuesday.The incident took place late on October 10 at Tor House nightclub near Ashok Park Metro station, within the jurisdiction of Sarai Rohilla police station.The victim, Daljeet, lived in Raghuvir Nagar with his family and was the sole breadwinner, his wife said.According to police, Daljeet had gone to the nightclub with five to six friends when some liquid spilled on the club manager’s wife, leading to a verbal altercation. Bouncers were called in, and Daljeet was allegedly assaulted.His friends alleged that the group apologised and repeatedly asked the attackers to stop, but the assault continued. They claimed the bouncers used sticks and glass bottles to beat them.“We were thrashed brutally,” Sunny, one of Daljeet’s friends who sustained a minor head injury, said.
‘Manager’s wife attacked with beer bottles’
The group alleged that when they tried to escape, the bouncers dragged them back inside and assaulted them again.According to victim’s friends, the attackers also poured water on them during the assault after covering his face.Daljeet sustained severe injuries, including a fractured jaw, and was in a bad state, his friends said. Nishu and Pawan, along with other members of the group, managed to get him out of the club and take him home to Raghuvir Nagar.“We were seven people and they were more in number. They thrashed us for nearly an hour,” Tinu, another friend, alleged. He claimed that three members of the group were locked inside a room and beaten for 30 to 40 minutes.A friend also alleged that the group members were hit with sticks and fists on their stomachs, legs and heads.“One of the accused allegedly pulled out a pistol and threatened them, while the manager’s wife grabbed Daljeet by his hair and attacked him with bottles”, the friend claimed.
Friends allege assault continued despite pleas
Daljeet returned home after the assault but was feeling unwell, police said. His condition deteriorated, and he collapsed near the entrance of his house, following which his wife, Pooja, and his friends took him to Guru Gobind Singh Hospital. Doctors declared him dead.Sunny said he received a call from Daljeet’s wife after the incident.“I am his friend. I got a call from his wife. That he was not moving and we rushed him to the hospital, where he was declared dead,” Sunny said.He added that “We have seen the CCTV footage and it was horrific. Daljeet was thrashed brutally. Those who did this to him must be strictly punished.”The victim’s friends also alleged that one of the accused brandished a firearm during the incident. They further claimed that the accused took cash and two mobile phones from the group. Police are examining these allegations as part of the investigation.
‘CCTV footage under scrutiny’
Police have seized the nightclub’s digital video recorder (DVR) and are examining the CCTV footage to reconstruct the sequence of events and identify others who may have been involved in the alleged assault.Daljeet’s family also alleged that they had called the police control room during the incident, but a police response vehicle arrived outside the club and left without conducting an inquiry. Police are looking into the allegation.Investigators are also checking whether the nightclub had the requisite permissions to operate late at night. Records have been sought from the Excise Department and the Licensing Branch, according to information provided in connection with the case.
‘I want justice for my eight-year-old child’
Daljeet is survived by his wife, an eight-year-old son and his father. His wife said the family depended on his earnings.“He went to the club with his friends. I only got to know that bouncers thrashed him so ruthlessly that he died. I want justice for my eight-year-old child and me,” she added.Police said further investigation was underway to establish the circumstances leading to the altercation, determine the sequence of events during the alleged assault and examine the allegations made by the victim’s family and friends.
