Two held for assaulting, robbing German national

Police on Saturday arrested a rickshaw-puller and his friend from Brahampuri area in Delhi's Usmanpur for assaulting and robbing a German tourist late on Friday in North Delhi's Kashmere Gate area.

The 19-year-old victim, identified as Benjamin Janis Schult, received severe injuries and was discharged after undergoing treatment at a government hospital.

Police said that the accused have been identified as Rizwan, the rickshaw-puller, and Rajkishore, his partner-in-crime.

"Rizwan has criminal cases against him in Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, while Rajkishore has no permanent job. We are ascertaining if they have been previously involved in other cases" said DCP North Jatin Narwal.

Cops got their first clue from the abandoned rickshaw and traced the owner from the number printed on the rickshaw.

Soon, a team was sent to Pilibhit to trace Rizwan, while several other teams worked in Delhi.

The attack on the German national led to Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to seek report of the incident.

The incident was reported when Schult was on his way to the Kashmere Gate bus terminal to catch a bus to Amritsar around 11 pm Friday. Since it was late, he decided to hire a rickshaw.

However, the rickshaw-puller took a detour, convincing Benjamin that it was a short cut.

Instead of taking him to the bus terminal, the rickshaw-puller took him towards Yamuna Khadar area under the Ring

Road loop at Kashmere Gate, the police said.

On the way, the rickshaw-puller picked up another passenger saying he will be dropped off on the way. Benjamin had no idea that the two were actually partners and intended to rob him. Taking him to a secluded spot, the two men then threatened Schult with knifes and asked him to hand them over his purse and mobile.

Trained in martial arts, Schult tried to put up a fight but the two stabbed him with their blades.

The assailants then managed to run away with his mobile and wallet, leaving behind the rickshaw. Schult managed to flee and seek help from occupants of a car that was passing by.

The men in the car offered him a lift and took him to the nearest police barricade. The cops informed their seniors and Schult was rushed to Sushrut Trauma Center. A case in this regard was registered at Kotwali police station.

"We managed to identify the assailants involved in the incident and arrested them. Benjamin has been discharged from the hospital after treatment." said Narwal.

Taking note of the incident, Swaraj on Saturday tweeted: "I have asked for a report on the attack on German national in Delhi. I have asked Delhi Government to provide him best medical treatment."