'Infatuated' 22-year-old held for attacking journalist

The Delhi Police have arrested a 22-year-old man for allegedly attacking freelance journalist Aparna Kalra in an Ashok Vihar park on Wednesday evening. The accused, identified as Sanjay, told the Investigating Officer that he was infatuated with the victim and wanted to be friends with her.

Kalra is recovering in hospital. Sanjay is a school dropout and works in a nail polish factory. He used to visit the park frequented by Kalra.

On the day of the incident, he reached the park in an inebriated condition and started following Kalra. When she did not acknowledge his advances, an enraged Sanjay hit her with a stone before fleeing the spot.

Meanwhile, the police questioned a large number of people in the area, particularly the regulars, zeroing in on the accused. Around 35 people, who used to visit the park regularly for drinking or were seen in and around the park, were questioned. "Two of them informed the police that Sanjay was present in the park when the incident took place. He was then taken to the park, where he identified the location where he attacked the journalist," Deputy Commissioner of Police (north-west) Milind Mahadeo Dumbre said.