CCTV camera outside hotel does not work

Despite having a CCTV camera outside the Sindhi Dhaba in South-east Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar area, the five accused — who killed the hotel owner on late Monday —evaded from being captured in the camera. Delhi Police are leaving no stone unturned to establish the identity of the culprits.

According to police, at around 9.45 pm, a group of four men had a heated argument with the hotel’s manager over a bill of Rs 1,085. The manager told the police that all four men were under the influence of alcohol and had ordered two plates chicken, fish-tikka, rice and butter naan. When the bill of Rs 1,085 was handed over to them, they asked the waiter to call his manager to ask for discount.

When he refused to give any discount, they had a heated argument. Few minutes later, they paid the bill and left the hotel. At around 10.15 pm, all four of them returned in a car along with one more person. Initially, they thrashed the manager and tried to drag him outside the hotel. In the meantime, the owner of the hotel — Vasudeo alias Pappu — who was sitting at the counter, intervened and within a few seconds, the fifth person who the four men had brought 

along, shot him thrice outside the hotel.

Vasudeo fell unconscious on the road in a pool of blood while all the accused fled from the spot. According to the eye-witnesses they opened  fire in the air while escaping. Soon after the incident, Vasudeo was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

It was learnt that few days ago, Vasudeo’s wife died and on Monday, he returned to work after the last rites of his wife. During investigation, it was found that a CCTV camera was installed outside the hotel but it does not cover the view of the road where the incident took place. Some of the footages have been recovered that shows the group of men entering and exiting the hotel but only their heads are visible. Further probe is on to nab the accused, said a senior police official.