Auto driver beaten to death in road rage

New Delhi, March 23 (IANS) In another incident of road rage in the national capital, an autorickshaw driver was beaten to death after his three-wheeler nicked an Innova car, leading to a fight, police said Friday.

Rajesh Kumar, 40, resident of west Delhi's Buddha Vihar, was beaten to death with bricks around 1.45 a.m. Friday near Rithala petrol pump in Vijay Vihar area of west Delhi, police said.

Kumar, who is survived by his wife and two children, was heading towards his home when his autorickshaw brushed past the stationary Innova leading to a scuffle in which the car passengers beat him up brutally.

The accused have been identified as Rahul, 25, and his friend Vinod, 23.

Rahul, resident of Buddha Vihar, was arrested early Friday from Rithala metro station while Vinod, who stays in Sarai Rohilla, was apprehended in the afternoon.

Salim, an eyewitness, told police that the accused were drunk and were standing outside their Innova car near Rithala petrol pump.

"At that time, Kumar passed by in his autorickshaw, which nicked the Innova. The accused abused the victim and asked him to come back. When the victim returned they attacked him and beat him to death with some bricks lying on the ground," said B.S. Jaiswal, Deputy Commissioner of police, citing the statement by the eyewitness.

Jaiswal informed that Salim tried to catch the accused but they fled from the spot.

"Salim also made a call to police. Some whiskey bottles were recovered from inside the Innova car, that was recovered from the spot," said Jaiswal.

During interrogation it came to light that the Innova car, belonging to Om Travel agency, was hired by Rahul. Rahul had given the Innova to Vinod to drive.

"Wednesday night Vinod had come to meet Rahul. They consumed alcohol inside the Innova near the Rithala petrol pump and later indulged in a scuffle with the victim," added Jaiswal.