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.
Published 21 May 2016, 20:10 IST