Mohali parking brawl: Scientist dies after neighbour repeatedly punches him in chest

The suspect rushed the victim to a private hospital in Sector 62, where he died while undergoing treatment.

A parking-related brawl led to the death of a 39-year-old scientist in Punjab's Mohali on Tuesday night. Dr. Abhishek Swarnkar was attacked by his neighbour outside his rented accommodation in Sector 67, Mohali.

The victim, a researcher at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), was pushed to the ground by the suspect Monty and punched violently in the chest multiple times. The incident took place around 8.30pm after Dr. Swarnkar returned home from work and parked his two-wheeler. Soon, an argument broke out between him and Monty. It then escalated and the suspect, who turned violent, pushed the victim to the ground.

"I heard some people shouting and rushed outside. I saw Monty attacking Abhishek, repeatedly punching him in the chest as he lay on the ground," Times of India said quoting Roma, a tenant in the locality. "When Abhishek lost consciousness, Monty panicked and rushed him to hospital," she added. The entire altercation was captured on CCTV.

The suspect rushed the victim to a private hospital in Sector 62, where he died while undergoing treatment. According to reports, Monty even hit a vehicle parked near his house while rushing the victim to the hospital.

Dr. Swarnkar had joined IISER as a project scientist recently after returning from Switzerland where he was previously working. He had undergone a kidney transplant recently was on dialysis.

The scientist's family has demanded strict action against the accused, an IT professional. Police said they had registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Gagandeep Singh, Phase-11 SHO, said a case has been registered following the family's complaint. "An autopsy will be conducted Thursday and appropriate legal action will follow," he added.

Expressing deep sorrow over Dr. Swarnkar's death, IISER said, "We have lost a brilliant mind. Such an act of violence is unacceptable and strict action should be taken against the accused".