Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 24: A 35-year-old cab driver was shot dead in broad daylight in Northeast Delhi’s Nand Nagri last week after he rushed to help his teenage son who had been assaulted during a clash between residents of two blocks in the area, police said.

The victim, Mohammed Umardin, was killed on February 17, about a kilometre from his home in C Block of Nand Nagri, a low-income neighbourhood in Northeast Delhi. His Class 10-going son had called him to the spot after getting into a fight with a group of youths from B Block.

According to Umardin’s 85-year-old father-in-law, Qayamuddin, the teenager was returning from tuition when he saw some residents of B Block beating boys from C Block. When he stopped and was asked his name, he was identified as being from C Block and allegedly assaulted.

By the time Umardin and his wife Rabia reached the spot, the boy had allegedly been pulled by his hair, forced to bend, and punched repeatedly.

An eyewitness claimed that a local criminal, identified as Sunil, who was among those involved in the scuffle, fired at Umardin from close range. The witness alleged that Sunil was known in the area and often carried weapons.

After the shooting, the teenager ran home to inform his grandparents. The family rushed Umardin to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

Police said the accused, Sunil alias Deepu alias Narender (34), a resident of B Block, was arrested three days later. A pistol suspected to have been used in the crime and three live cartridges were recovered from him.

DCP (North East) Ashish Mishra said the accused confessed during interrogation. “He is a habitual offender and has previously been involved in eight criminal cases, including murder, attempt to murder, snatching, causing hurt, and offences under the Arms Act,” the officer said.

Police said the murder stemmed from a territorial dispute between youths of the two blocks. “It was about the area, the block. The accused assumed that the deceased was aligned with the boys he was fighting with,” a police officer said.

Umardin is survived by his wife and five children — four daughters aged 2, 7, 8 and 10, and his teenage son.

Qayamuddin, who had stopped driving a battery rickshaw due to asthma, said he may have to resume work to support the family. “I suppose I will have to start again — for the children, and to support my daughter,” he said.