Soldier racially abused in South Delhi, assaulted by locals

A 21-year-old soldier, hailing from Darjeeling, was hospitalised with severe head injury after allegedly being racially abused and beaten up by a group of around 12 locals in south Delhi's Vasant Gaon area on Thursday.

The victim, identified as Lobsang Sherpa, is posted at the Air Force base in West Bengal and he is presently attached temporarily at a course in Delhi, for which he lives at a rented accommodation in Vasant Gaon, said a police official.

According to the police, the incident was reported today evening when Sherpa went for a haircut. He had his earphones plugged in and saw a group of men allegedly making fun of him from outside the saloon.

When Sherpa went to confront them, they allegedly resorted to racial abuse, which led to a violent altercation between Sherpa and the group, and they started beating him. When locals gathered around, the group dispersed, leaving Sherpa bleeding profusely.

Locals called up the police control room and Sherpa was rushed to AIIMS Trauma Centre. He suffered a severe skull injury and his condition is now reported to be stable, said the official.

"The police registered a case under Sections 323 and 341 of IPC against several unknown persons," said DCP (South) Prem Nath, adding that the prime accused has been identified as one Sunny and we are in the process of identifying others.