Accused Mobin Azad Saifi being escorted by the police
A Congo national was beaten to death by three drunken men in south Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area late on Friday night after a quarrel over hiring an autorickshaw.
One of the men was arrested, while two others are absconding. So far, the police have maintained that the murder was not a racist attack.
Masonda Ketada Olivier, the 23-year-old victim, was a resident of South Extension and taught French at a coaching institute nearby.
The incident took place around 11.45 pm when Olivier was returning from the home of a Congolese friend at Kishangarh locality in Vasant Kunj. While he waited for an autorickshaw, his friend who had accompanied him went to a nearby shop to buy cigarettes.
When an autorickshaw arrived, a group of three men heading towards Mehrauli stepped inside before Olivier could. This led to a heated exchange of words.
“The three persons were drunk, they had come from Munirka and were going back home. There was a confrontation over who will board the auto,” a police officer said. “The group hurled abuses at Olivier and started assaulting him,” he added. Olivier tried to retaliate, but was soon overpowered by the three men.