Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 4: A disturbing case of fatal assault has surfaced from the heart of the national capital, where a 36-year-old businessman, Shivam Gupta, allegedly succumbed to injuries after being brutally attacked with helmets by two delivery agents. While police have arrested the accused, Shivam’s family is now pressing for a deeper investigation, alleging possible involvement of his close friend who was present at the scene.

The incident took place near My Bar in E Block of Connaught Place. Shivam had reportedly stepped out late at night to attend a party when he was attacked by two men riding motorcycles. He sustained severe head injuries and remained hospitalised for over two weeks before passing away on January 19 at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital.

Recounting the events, Shivam’s father, Anil Kant Gupta, said his son left home around 8:30 pm on January 2. When repeated calls went unanswered after midnight, the family grew anxious. Shortly after, they received information from Sub-Inspector Suresh Chandra that Shivam had been found unconscious and admitted to hospital.

“When I reached the hospital, my son was bleeding from his mouth,” Anil Kant Gupta said. He added that Shivam’s friend, Pankaj Chaddha, later arrived at the hospital but gave conflicting accounts of how he came to know about the incident. “He said the police called him, but the police never did. He kept changing his statements to me and my wife,” he alleged.

According to the family, Pankaj was present near Shivam at the time of the attack but did not intervene or inform them about the assault. CCTV footage later reviewed by the family allegedly shows two men striking Shivam repeatedly with helmets, while Pankaj stood nearby. The footage also reportedly shows the attackers waving at Pankaj after the assault.

Doctors discovered a serious head injury during a CT scan, and Shivam remained under treatment for 17 days. Though his condition initially showed signs of improvement, complications set in on January 11 after doctors detected a brain infection. Despite medical intervention, including the insertion of tubes in his spine and head, Shivam’s condition deteriorated, leading to his death on January 19.

The family said they were initially preoccupied with medical procedures and did not immediately pursue legal action. However, questions arose after police suggested the attackers were delivery agents. “They don’t look like delivery boys,” Shivam’s father said, also recalling that Shivam and Pankaj had a dispute about a year ago.

Shivam’s mother echoed these concerns, demanding that Pankaj be questioned. “When we checked the CCTV footage, we saw he was there and did nothing. If he was innocent, he should have come to meet us. He should be brought before us and questioned,” she said.

Police have so far arrested two men, identified as Osama and Mohammad Areem, in connection with the assault. However, Shivam’s family insists that the investigation remains incomplete without examining the role of his friend, alleging that a larger conspiracy may have led to the fatal attack.