Pak diplomat assaulted in Delhi, two arrested

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested two people in connection with the assault on a Pakistani diplomat and his driver after an accident near the Jawaharlal Nehru University here yesterday. The two were arrested after the Pakistan High Commission lodged a strong protest with the Ministry of External Affairs and demanded a probe into the alleged attack. Pakistan High Commission spokesman Manzoor Ali Memon said, “A protest has been lodged with the Indian government with a call to investigate the matter thoroughly and to bring the perpetrators to book." Pakistan High Commission spokesman Memon said Zargam Raza, the First Secretary (Trade), was going to his home in Vasant Kunj from the mission in Chanakyapuri when two persons on a motorcycle hurled abuses at him near the Jawaharlal Nehru University. Zargam Raza and his driver were allegedly assaulted near Jawaharlal Nehru University campus at around 6.30 pm on Monday. When the diplomat objected to the abuse, Raza and his driver were allegedly beaten up by some people, Memon said. The spokesman said the two persons involved in the incident a First Secretary and his driver "sustained serious injuries" and had been provided medical treatment. An FIR had also been lodged with police, he said. The Pakistan High Commission also asked the Indian government to ensure the safety and security of its staff in line with the Vienna Convention and international diplomatic practices. According to Delhi Police, the incident took place at Ber Sarai at around 7.25 pm when Zirgham Raza, First Secretary (Trade) in the Pakistan High Commission here, was returning to his home in south Delhi`s Vasant Kunj area. "They met with an accident with a motorcycle coming from Ber Sarai. It was a freak accident and there was no damage or injury to any party," police said, adding he suffered "minor bruises". However, there are different versions of the accident with the Indian authorities stating that when the diplomat`s car, a Toyota, hit the motorcycle, Roshni, who was sitting behind Rohit, fell off. There was an argument between Raza`s driver Haider Zaman and the motorcycle duo ensuing in a brawl and the diplomat suffering minor bruises when he tried to intervene. According to the Delhi Police, the control room received a call at 7.26 pm about the accident. Raza was travelling by his Toyota car. "The driver and Roshni sustained minor bruises. Raza also received a bruise when he intervened in the matter. Both parties were sent for medical examination," police said. The police later arrested two people who were involved in the incident for misbehaving with Raza. The two have been charged under Section 279 (rash and negligent driving) and Section 336 (act of endangering life). With Agency inputs