NEW DELHI: Eighteen-year-old Aryan Yadav stepped out on a cold night to attend a friend’s wedding, choosing a shortcut through Shastri Nagar. A few hours later, he was found lying in a pool of blood at the same spot, fatally stabbed during a robbery attempt after refusing to hand over his mobile phone.
Aryan, described by his family as the most “daring” member of the household, was a JEE aspirant who dreamed of becoming a mechanical engineer. Known for his curiosity and skill with machines, he routinely repaired broken gadgets at home by watching online tutorials.
He is survived by his father, Dinesh Kumar Yadav (43), his mother Urmila (43), and his younger brother Aarav (12). The family lives in Pratap Bagh in north Delhi and originally hails from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.
Recalling the loss, Aryan’s uncle Ravinder said the family had moved to Delhi in search of better opportunities. “My brother saved every rupee to send Aryan for JEE coaching. He was in Class 12 and had his entire life ahead of him. He could fix anything — appliances, electric boards, mobile phones. He was exceptionally bright,” he said.
Ravinder added that Aryan’s courage may have cost him his life. “He was brave and didn’t back down. That night, he fought back, and that is why he was killed,” he said. “Earlier that day, he even cooked pasta for Aarav, who still keeps asking for him. We were planning a New Year trip. Now everything has fallen apart.”
A visit by TOI to the crime scene — a narrow lane beside the Sarai Rohilla open drain and an old Shiva temple — revealed a poorly lit stretch that residents said had no functioning streetlights until after the incident. Despite its risks, locals continue to use the lane as it is the shortest route through the area.
Residents also pointed to a cavity-like space under a nearby bridge, which they said has long been frequented by drug users. Others complained of irregular barricading and a lack of beat policing, even though Sarai Rohilla police post No. 2 is located on the same road nearby.
Raj Sharma (46), caretaker of the temple, said streetlights in the area had never worked. “They were fixed only after the murder,” he said. Neelam (38), another resident, said fear had become a way of life. “We keep four guard dogs because we don’t feel safe. For women, it’s even worse. I’ve seen groups of boys drinking and taking drugs near the drain and in the lane. We never step out at night,” she said.
Police have arrested two 19-year-olds and apprehended two juveniles aged 14 and 15 in connection with the killing. Investigators said the group targeted people to fund their substance addiction.
“On November 30, the group was searching for an easy target when they spotted Aryan. When he resisted, they allegedly stabbed him with a knife bought online for ₹400,” a senior police officer said. Later that night, the accused allegedly stole a scooty and snatched another phone, which they sold the next morning to buy alcohol and ganja.
