A 16-year-old Muslim boy was stabbed to death in East Delhi’s Trilokpuri area on Thursday evening, with his family alleging that he was deliberately targeted by a group of young men over a prior dispute he was not involved in.
The victim, identified as Ayaan Saifi, was an only child who was pursuing his studies while also helping his mother with daily work, according to family members.
The incident took place near a local park in Trilokpuri, a densely populated working-class locality in East Delhi that has witnessed tensions and violent clashes in the past.
Eyewitnesses and relatives allege that a group of 6 to 8 men entered the park armed with knives and chased Ayaan before attacking him.
“They surrounded him and stabbed him repeatedly, in the back, stomach, and legs. Even his hand was badly injured,” a relative who claimed to have witnessed the incident said.
The family has alleged that the attack was premeditated and linked to an earlier dispute involving a local individual, referred to as “Vakil.” They claim Ayaan had no direct involvement in the matter but was targeted regardless.
“He had no enmity with anyone. They killed him over someone else’s issue,” a family member said.
Ayaan was rushed to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in critical condition. According to the family, he briefly regained consciousness during which his statement was recorded by the police.
“He named several attackers. The police recorded everything on video,” a relative alleged, adding that family members were initially not allowed to meet him inside the hospital.
The family further claimed that Ayaan had received threats in the past and that a complaint had been filed months earlier, but no preventive action was taken.
“He was scared to go to certain places because of repeated threats,” a family member said.
In a serious allegation, the family said that instead of immediately arresting the accused, police detained members of Ayaan’s own family.
“Those who killed him are still roaming free, but our people were picked up,” a relative alleged.
Local residents described an atmosphere of fear in the area, with some pointing to a rise in group clashes involving youths in recent months. Others, however, said they were unaware of the specific dispute that led to the killing.
Ayaan’s mother, visibly distressed, said her son was her only support.
“He was studying and helping me. I have lost everything,” she said.
The police have registered a case in connection with the incident. However, officials have not yet publicly confirmed the motive behind the killing or announced arrests at the time of publication.
The family is demanding swift arrests and strict action against those responsible.
“Nothing can bring him back, but we want justice,” a relative said.
