Aviation services firm director among 2 held for assaulting brigadier, son in Vasant Vihar

New Delhi: Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested two men in connection with the assault on a brigadier and his son after they objected to public drinking in southwest Delhi’s Vasant Vihar on Saturday.

The accused, Satender alias Sonu (49) and Sanjay Sharma (56), are residents of Mehram Nagar. “Satender is a director at a firm providing aviation services like charter and cargo flights. He is also involved in the sale and purchase of aircraft parts. Sanjay runs a dhaba in Mehram Nagar,” a senior police officer said.

Preliminary inquiry revealed that the accused were inside a Mercedes SUV when the incident took place. The vehicle, which police suspect belongs to Satender, has been seized. Investigators are also probing if other associates were involved. “The accused are not cooperating properly,” the officer said.

The probe also revealed that after allegedly assaulting the victims, Satender and Sanjay changed their vehicle and fled the scene. They were apprehended following police raids.

An FIR has been registered under BNS sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 126 (wrongful restraint), 351 (criminal intimidation), 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman), 191 (rioting) and 190 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object) at Vasant Vihar police station.

Speaking to TOI, the brigadier’s wife had said the incident took place at 9.45pm Saturday when the family had stepped out for a stroll. She was walking slightly behind her husband and son when they noticed two men consuming liquor inside a car parked near the society gate. In her complaint to police, she alleged that when they objected and asked the two not to do so, the men misbehaved, used abusive language and passed obscene remarks.

Following the confrontation, the family dialled police helpline 112 and a PCR vehicle reached the spot at 10.15pm. However, the situation escalated in the presence of cops, the woman alleged.

Soon after, two more cars arrived and seven-eight men, allegedly known to the two men who were drinking, emerged from it. “They threw my son to the ground and started beating him,” the woman alleged. He suffered multiple injuries.

When the brigadier intervened, two-three men allegedly surrounded him and assaulted him as well, leaving him with bruises, including on his elbow. His son alleged that one of the men pointed towards him just before the attack began.

According to the brigadier’s wife, the assault continued for nearly 20 minutes in full view of the police personnel, who allegedly did not intervene. Police said a preliminary enquiry found lapses on the part of the investigating inspector, who has since been sent to district lines.