Two Customers Killed at Ghaziabad Dhaba Over Food Delay; Owner and Two Staff Arrested

Ghaziabad, February 2:
Ghaziabad Police have arrested three persons, including a dhaba owner, in connection with the brutal double murder of two customers following an argument over delay in serving food at a roadside eatery in the Khoda area of the district. One more customer sustained serious injuries in the incident.

The prime accused, Dharmendra (45), owner of the dhaba, was arrested first. Acting on fresh intelligence, police later conducted an operation late Sunday night and arrested two other accused—Rajan and Sachin—after an encounter, in which both sustained bullet injuries.

Dispute Escalated Into Deadly Attack

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Trans-Hindon) Nimitsh Patil, the incident took place late Friday night when Shripal (23), Satyam (26), and Anurag (24) arrived at the dhaba and placed a food order.

When the food was delayed, one of the customers allegedly slapped a staff member, following which the trio moved towards a narrow lane behind the eatery. Enraged by the altercation, the dhaba owner and his staff chased them and launched a violent attack using sticks and kitchen knives.

As a result, Shripal and Satyam died on the spot, while Anurag was seriously injured. He was initially admitted to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital and later referred to GTB Hospital in Delhi due to the severity of his injuries.

During interrogation, Dharmendra confessed to his role in the crime, police said.

Late-Night Police Encounter

Police said that late Sunday night they received information that two more accused involved in the murders were hiding in Khoda. A police team laid a trap and began checking vehicles when the suspects arrived on a motorcycle.

When asked to surrender, the accused opened fire on the police team. In retaliatory firing, both suspects were injured and subsequently arrested. They are currently undergoing treatment under police custody.

‘Two Held the Victim, Two Stabbed Him’

The brother of one of the deceased, Gopal, alleged that CCTV footage shown to the family clearly depicts the brutality of the attack.

He claimed that all the attackers were armed with large knives, suggesting premeditation. According to him, two accused held his brother’s hands and forced his head towards the ground, while the other two repeatedly stabbed him.

“The knives pierced his head, arms and back. Two stab wounds went right through his arm,” he said, adding that the footage shown to them only showed his brother being assaulted, while the other victims were not visible in the clip.

Investigation Ongoing

Police have stated that further investigation is underway, and additional CCTV footage and forensic evidence are being examined to establish the complete sequence of events and the roles of all those involved.