‘Phone-snatcher’ beaten to death in Mangolpuri, inquiry ordered

A 32-year-old alleged robber, who tried to snatch a woman’s phone, was allegedly beaten to death by a group of people who gathered to help her as she raised an alarm in outer Delhi’s Mangolpuri on Thursday.

The man, Ramesh, and three of his associates were on a scooty and allegedly tried to snatch the mobile phone of a woman who was standing outside her shanty. The woman did not give in and caught hold of Ramesh.

When she tried to resist the robbery bid, Ramesh’s associate took out a knife and tried to stab her. She raised an alarm and locals gathered to help her.

Ramesh fell from the scooty and was cornered while his associates managed to flee.

“We received a PCR call at three am about the apprehension of a thief at Mangolpuri railway station. When the local police reached the area they found Ramesh. The woman tried to stop the public from beating him but they did not listen. They cornered Ramesh and beat him up so much so that he fell unconscious. He was taken to hospital but later he died,” a senior police officer said.

MN Tiwari, DCP outer, said, “During the medical examination of Ramesh, doctors noticed multiple bruises. On the basis of the injuries, a separate case has been registered. I have ordered the ACP (vigilance) to enquire personally into the matter and submit a factual report.”

The police have registered two cases in connection with the matter. One is a case of voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery and robbery, or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt on the woman’s statement against the accused. The other case is under section 308 as the man died due to public beating.