Delhi: 21-year-old student Gurpreet Singh killed for objecting to public smoking

It is hard to believe that objecting to public smoking can cost a life. But, in an ugly incident, it turned out so for a 21-year-old student.

On a dreaded night, Gurpreet Singh (21) and his friend Maninder Singh (22) went on a night shoot in New Delhi. The students of photography were out to shoot a documentary on pavement dwellers.

The students stopped at a food joint near Safdarjung Hospital. When they were having their food, a person who is said to be son of a visiting IIT-Delhi professor started smoking near them. The accused, Rohit Krishna Mahanta, was reportedly drunk.

Gurpreet and Maninder objected to smoking as the smoke was coming directly on their faces. Both of them objected to smoking which turned out to be an ugly altercation. Mahanta started abusing both of them which led to violence.

As the altercation turned violent, people intervened and asked both students to leave the place. Gurpreet and Maninder pushed off on their bike. As they have moved only 400 meters ahead, Mahanta rammed his car to the bike.

Both students fell from bike and suffered injuries. Gurpreet succumbed to his injuries and Maninder is battling for life at a hospital. After hitting the bike, Mahanta managed to flee from the spot.

Mahanta was arrested and later released on bail, police said.

Gurpreet's family has launched a social media campaign, alleging that it was not an accident but attempt to murder.