E-rickshaw driver died by suicide after intoxicant was mixed in cold drink, three accused arrested

Police have arrested three individuals on charges of causing the death of an e-rickshaw driver by making him consume an intoxicating cold drink with the intent to rob the rickshaw in Delhi's Mangolpuri area. According to Aaj Tak reports, police stated on Friday that the three arrested accused were running a gang that specifically targeted e-rickshaw drivers across the city.

The incident occurred last month, in which the accused mixed an intoxicant in a cold drink and made an e-rickshaw driver named Akash consume it. Subsequently, the accused fled with his e-rickshaw and mobile phone. Akash died while undergoing treatment in the hospital. The police have identified the arrested accused as 30-year-old Zakir alias Sultan, his 26-year-old brother Asif, and 39-year-old cousin Yusuf alias Bhure. Investigation has revealed that Yusuf was involved in accepting stolen e-rickshaws.

The police have seized a total of 10 e-rickshaws, including Akash's e-rickshaw, and 47 tools such as screwdrivers and grinders from the accused. This case began on 27 October, when the police received information that an unknown person was lying unconscious in Mangolpuri. The person was identified as Akash, a resident of Mangolpuri, who was immediately taken to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, where he died.

During the investigation, it was learned that Akash operated an e-rickshaw and worked on the route between Mangolpuri Red Light and Sultanpuri. He had left home for work on 26 October, but his mobile phone became unreachable around 5 pm in the evening. Following the post-mortem at LNJP Hospital, the police registered an FIR under section 105 of the BNS and commenced the investigation.

The police team conducted a thorough examination of CCTV footage to reach the truth of the incident. The police reconstructed the victim's movements and traced the route before and after the incident by analysing technical evidence. Based on this investigation, the police team reached Jafrabad and apprehended Zakir from there. According to the police, cases have been previously registered against Zakir under the BNS and Arms Act at Bhajanpura police station, while a crime is registered against Yusuf at Jafrabad police station. It has emerged that Asif has no prior criminal record.