New Delhi, February 15 A boy was allegedly stabbed to death by another during an argument over a cap, while another minor held him down in the Rohini area of northwest Delhi, police said on Sunday.
The accused minors are also alleged to have coerced the victim into concealing the incident and claiming that the injury was the result of a fall, they added.
The case came to light after the injured boy was admitted to BSA Hospital on February 11 and initially told doctors that he had fallen from the roof of his house onto an iron rod, an official said.
The boy succumbed to his injuries on February 13, and a post-mortem examination conducted the following day revealed that the wound was inflicted by a sharp object, suggesting homicide, the official added, noting that a case was subsequently registered at Vijay Vihar police station.
During the investigation, police apprehended one minor, who revealed that he was friends with the victim and another boy, who was also allegedly involved in the incident.
The victim and the other accused lived in the same building in Vijay Vihar.
On February 11, the three were sitting on a rooftop when the other boy snatched the victim's cap and refused to return it, leading to an argument. During the argument, the accused allegedly asked the apprehended minor to restrain the victim while he stabbed him.
Police said that the two then threatened the injured minor not to reveal the incident and to claim that he had been hurt after falling onto an iron rod, assuring him that they would arrange treatment. Out of fear, the victim initially told his family the same.
The other minor is allegedly absconding with his family, and efforts are underway to trace him.
Crime and forensics teams have inspected the scene and collected evidence, police said, adding that further investigation is in progress.