Delhi air slightly better, diesel car curbs suggested

New Delhi: A day after recording “severe” pollution, Delhi’s air quality improved slightly to “very poor” category on Wednesday after wind speed picked up and dispersed pollutants even though the stubble fire count increased. The Supreme Courtappointed EPCA has urged Delhiites not use private diesel vehicles for the first 10 days of November when the air quality is likely to further deteriorate.

A couple was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly strangling a girl to death at their residence in Northeast Delhi’s Welcome and then dumping her body at North Delhi’s Timarpur, the police said.

The girl, aged around 11- 12, used to go for tuition classes to her neighbour Ruksar’s ( 32) residence, they added.

On October 22, she went for the tuition classes at around 11 am, but did not return home, the police said, adding that the girl also used to help in the household chores at Ruksar’s residence.

On October 22, while the girl was trying to fetch an object from an upper shelf, it slipped and hit her on the face and she started crying, the police said.

Irked by her wailing, Ruksar’s husband Rajab ( 34) slapped her hard and she lost consciousness, it said, adding that Rajab was scared that after gaining consciousness, she might inform her parents.

The couple kept the girl confined and on October 27, strangled her, the police said.

Rajab then dumped her at a roadside near the Yamuna Biodiversity Park.