Two childhood friends stab each other to death at Delhi park

Delhi park murder

Two childhood friends died after stabbing each other during a heated argument in West Delhi’s Khyala area on Sunday night, Hindustan Times reported. Police identified the deceased as Arif alias Ashiq Ali (35) and Sandeep Yadav (36), who were neighbours and lived just a few houses apart.

The incident occurred between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm in a nearby park, where both men were seen sitting together. According to the police, an argument broke out between them and quickly escalated into a violent fight. During the scuffle, both of them stabbed each other with knives. Locals nearby rushed them to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, but doctors declared them dead on arrival.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Vichitra Veer said the two had been friends for many years. “As per the information available so far, the two were friends for many years and they were sitting in a park. An argument started and escalated to a scuffle. During the scuffle, both of them sustained stab injuries. They were taken to the hospital by the people nearby, but both of them died,” HT quoted the DCP as saying.

As per the report, police have registered a case of murder and are continuing the investigation. Two knives were recovered from the spot and have been sent for forensic testing to determine if both were used in the fight.

On Monday, their street was filled with mourning relatives and neighbours, while police maintained order as the bodies were taken for last rites, half an hour apart and in different directions.

According to Sandeep Yadav’s family, the dispute may have been over money related to fitness supplements. Sandeep used to sell body-building supplements, while Arif sold second-hand clothes from home.

Sumitra Yadav, Sandeep’s sister-in-law, said that Arif had called Sandeep around 8.30 pm to meet him. “Sandeep’s wife told us that the two had some financial issues regarding supplements Arif had bought from him,” she said.

She added that Sandeep had paid around Rs 4 lakh to help Arif get bail in an old legal case and had also contributed to a flat that Arif had recently invested in. “Sandeep needed the money back urgently as our mother recently suffered a paralysis attack. That’s when things went wrong,” HT quoted her as saying.

On the other side, Arif’s family was shocked by what happened. “They were like brothers. Sandeep had even helped Arif in his worst times. We never imagined something like this could happen,” said Parveena, a relative and neighbour of Arif.

Sandeep is survived by his wife Neelu, parents, and two children, an eight-year-old daughter and a four-year-old son. Arif leaves behind his wife Ashima, parents, a 10-year-old daughter, and two younger sons.