New Delhi, March 27 A chemical engineer undergoing treatment at a de-addiction center in the outer north Delhi area of Hiranki allegedly stabbed his fellow inmate to death on Friday, police said.
The incident took place at "Kirandeep Foundation," located in Kashmiri Colony, police said in a statement.
An incident involving a stabbing was reported to the Alipur police station, following which a team rushed to the scene and found blood scattered on the premises, they said.
"Inquiries revealed that the injured had already been shifted to a hospital in Burari, where he was declared dead. The deceased was identified as Arun Kumar (22), a resident of Satya Vihar in Burari," an officer said.
According to the police, Kumar came from a poor background, and his father works as a rickshaw driver. Family members informed police that he had developed a drug addiction during his teenage years and was admitted to the rehabilitation center for treatment.
A case was registered, and an investigation was launched.
The officer said that a team was immediately constituted to identify and apprehend the accused. Acting swiftly, the police found the accused, identified as Arun Joshi (27), present at the scene and took him into custody.
Joshi, a resident of Tri Nagar, was also undergoing treatment at the same de-addiction center, police said. The weapon used – a blood-stained knife – was recovered from his possession.
During interrogation, Joshi disclosed that he had a quarrel with Kumar a few days prior to the incident, they said, adding that the altercation escalated after Kumar hurled some abusive words at him, following which Joshi attacked him to take revenge.
"Further investigation revealed that around 27 drug addicts are currently admitted at the rehabilitation center where the incident occurred. Police said that CCTV footage from the premises has been seized, which captures the presence and involvement of the accused. Blood samples and other biological evidence have also been collected from the scene to corroborate the sequence of events," the officer added.
"The accused, who holds a degree in chemical engineering from a Delhi-based institute, had developed a habit of consuming cannabis during his college years and had been admitted to the center around nine months ago for rehabilitation," the officer said.
Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain all aspects of the case, including any possible lapses at the facility.
