Neighbour stabs man over power cut on birthday

A 38-year-old man suffered injuries after being stabbed multiple times by his neighbour at Narela in outer Delhi on Sunday morning, police said.

Ashwini Kumar, who lives with his wife and three daughters in Rajeev Colony Extension, is undergoing treatment at Saroj Hospital in Rohini Sector 14, while the accused — 32-year-old Ram Kumar — is absconding.

“Both Ashwini and Ram are neighbours and live in rented accommodations. The attack took place after a heated argument at 8 am,” a police official said.

After questioning Ashwini’s wife and neighbours, police found out that Ashwini and Ram had been indulging in verbal duels ever since the birthday of Ashiwini’s one-year-old daughter on September 14.

“Ashwini had organised a function on his daughter’s birthday, during which there was a power disruption due to a power cable being cut outside the house. He suspected Ram’s involvement in the incident, which led to daily squabbles between the two for the last two weeks,” the official added.

Their landlord had been trying to intervene to solve the dispute, but on Sunday morning, Ashwini and Ram again exchanged heated words. Ram subsequently attacked Ashiwini with a knife.

Hearing the commotion, locals gathered to help a bleeding Ashiwini and rushed him to Saroj Hospital. They also made a call to the police control room. “Initial probe has revealed that Ashiwini was stabbed five times, including in his abdomen and back. His condition is said to be critical, but out of danger,” the official said.

Ram managed to flee. A case of attempt to murder under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code has been lodged against him with Narela police station. Police are questioning Ram’s wife to identify his possible hideouts and have also mounted technical surveillance on his cellphone number.