A Delhi Police constable was injured when a robbery suspect attacked him with a knife while the former was on patrolling duty in Raj Park area of central Delhi, officials reported on Monday.
The accused, who is alleged to have robbed a rickshaw puller of Rs 500, was subsequently arrested. Police stated that this arrest has helped solve one robbery and two theft cases.
According to police, the incident took place on November 22, when Constable Vikash, on routine patrol, was approached by rickshaw puller Md Kamal—the complainant—who reported that a youth had robbed him near Gaushala Road, Ghode Wali Gali.
The constable accompanied Kamal to the location, where the accused was identified. When the constable tried to apprehend him, the suspect attacked him with a knife, injuring his hand. Despite the injury and bleeding, the constable managed to overpower the youth.
“However, the suspect deliberately hurt his own head to distract the officer and escaped into the crowd,” a senior police officer said.
Adding to the statement further, he added that the constable informed the police station, prompting a search in Ghode Wali Gali and surrounding areas. Acting on Kamal’s identification, police apprehended the accused, Ritik, a resident of Kishan Ganj, and both were subsequently taken to a hospital.
Police said doctors also recovered Rs 500 in cash from Ritik’s clothing.
The knife used in the crime was later recovered from a nearby railway line based on Ritik’s directions, and the clothes he wore during the robbery were also seized.
During questioning, Ritik told police that he worked as a labourer and had studied up to Class 7. He allegedly developed an addiction to intoxicants and began committing thefts and robberies to fund his habit. He also confessed to robbing the rickshaw puller on Saturday and attacking the constable in an attempt to flee.
Police said Ritik has a prior record, including a 2018 attempted theft and an Arms Act case filed earlier this year. He also admitted to committing two recent thefts, registered on October 20 and November 4.
Police stated that a case has been registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023.