Delhi: PM Narendra Modi Condemns Killing Of E-rickshaw Driver For Objecting To Open Urination

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi condemns killing of E-rickshaw driver in Delhi for stopping two men from urinating in public, directs authorities to punish the culprits. Earlier, Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu has expressed anger over the incident where an e-rickshaw driver, who died in the Capital on Sunday after he was attacked for objecting when he saw two men urinating in public. Mr Naidu said, “It is so sad, that Ravinder Kumar, an e-rickshaw driver, was beaten to death in national capital Delhi for stopping people from urinating in public.

The minister also added that stringent action against the culprits will be taken, “I have spoken to Delhi’s police commissioner and asked him to take strongest action possible against the culprits.

Ravinder Kumar, 34, had on Saturday stopped two young men urinating on the road near his e-rickshaw stand and asked them to use the Sulabh toilet, which was hardly five metres away from the metro station in north Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar. Instead of listening to Ravinder Kumar, the infuriated men threatened him and returned hours later in a larger group to beat him till death.

Mr Kumar was beaten with towels filled with stones for at least 20 minutes and was attacked at about 8.30 in the evening near the crowded station, but no one came forward to rescue him. Mr Kumar, had not sustained any major injury but later in the night, he fell unconscious. The family rushed him to a local hospital, where he was declared dead in the early hours of Sunday.

The police have registered a case of murder and teams have been formed to nab the accused. Police is also trying to find CCTV footage from the area to identify the accused.

The Urban Development minister also visited the family of the deceased e-rickshaw driver and gave a cheque of Rs 50,000 as a temporary relief. After speaking with Lieutenant Governor, Mr Naidu said that the LG has agreed to give a grant of Rs.5, 00,000 as a relief, to the family of deceased on behalf of Delhi administration. He also added that he has spoken to the Municipal commissioner of North West Delhi and asked him to provide employment to the spouse of the deceased driver, as per norms.

Public urination is not illegal but the incident is grim reminder that even after three years of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, just how deep rooted the problem of not using a toilet even when it is available. In case of Ravinder Kumar, it turned into a horrific crime when he was simply trying to do his duty as a citizen.

Till now, the government has built around 2.09 crore toilets as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign.

Also Read: 3 Years Of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Government: 2 Lakh Villages Declared Open Defecation Free