Youth repeatedly stabbed by friend in Outer Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 16 (PTI) A 24-year-old man was repeatedlystabbed by his friend in Outer Delhi after the victimaccidentally stepped over the latter''s foot while greetinghim, police said today.

The incident took place in Sultanpuri at around 10:30pm yesterday. The victim has been identified as Deepak (24),who was stabbed allegedly by Ravi (23).

Deepak was standing near the entrance to a lane leadingto his house when Ravi came over to meet him.

"Deepak moved a little forward to greet Ravi andaccidentally stepped on his friend''s foot. An argument brokeout as they were under the influence of alcohol and came toblows," a senior police official said.

Ravi, a "drug addict", took out a knife from hispocket and started attacking Deepak, the official said addinghe stabbed Deepak four times.

Neighbours intervened and rushed Deepak to Sanjay GandhiHospital while Ravi fled from the spot.

Ravi got admitted at a government de-addiction centrein Khiradi from where he was released recently.

However, police received an input about his presencethere and arrested him from the facility. He is also wanted ina snatching case registered in 2007.

A case of attempt to murder has been registeredagainst Ravi while Deepak is undergoing treatment at thehospital.

Delhiites appeared to be on short fuse as this is thefourth incident of sudden provocation leading to suchincidents reported in the past one week. The previous threeincidents ended in loss of lives.

On January 11, an argument over buying curd claimed thelife of a young electrician in outer Delhi''s Samaipur Badliwhen he was stabbed allegedly by two men, including a teenageITI student.

A day earlier, a 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death inJafrabad by four men after he could not give them ascrewdriver "which he did not have". His elder Afzal brotheris battling for life in a hospital.

In another incident reported on Tuesday, a 37-year-oldrestaurant manager lost his life in the national capital whena pilot allegedly ran his car over him after their vehiclescollided in Khan Market.

Fifteen per cent of the 519 murders reported in thecapital last year were due to sudden provocation on trivialissues.

The "trivial" reasons for murder last year includedissue of burning fire crackers in a marriage, dispute duringcricket match, quarrel among children, taking water frompipeline, on lighting beedi at a shop and over refusal ofserving a particular brand of wine.