Nido Taniam, who died last week after being beaten by shopkeepers in Delhi
The Delhi Police today recorded statements of four friends of Arunachal Pradesh student Nido Taniam, who died last week after being beaten by shopkeepers at a south Delhi market.
The statements were recorded at the Lajpat Nagar police station in which the four friends, including a girl, told the police that a compromise between Nido and the shop-owner was reached even before police had reached the spot.
The police also said that two brothers Sunder and Pawan were arrested on Tuesday after witnesses said they had also slapped and passed racist remarks at Nido.
On Tuesday, the counsel of the two brothers had sought bail for them in the court arguing they were witnesses in the case and the police have falsely implicated them.
"Investigations have also revealed that on the day of the incident, Taniam, who was beaten up by the shop-owner, identified as Farman, and the locals, had mutually settled the issue with him and paid a sum of Rs 7,000. It was only later when Farman saw Taniam's other friends that he made a PCR call fearing a backlash," said a police official.
Nido, who was vacationing in Delhi, was attacked on Wednesday at a confectionery shop in Lajpat Nagar, where he and his friends had reportedly stopped to ask for directions.
The student was beaten up with rods and sticks allegedly by a group of men who ridiculed his appearance and his dyed hair. Nido had allegedly broken a glass display case in anger, when he was attacked.
His medical report said he died of a swelling in his brain and excess fluid in his lungs. Doctors say a detailed viscera report will reveal the cause of his death.
The police say they had negotiated a settlement and Nido then went to his sister's home where he was found dead in his bed the next day.
Nido's family alleges that he died of his external and internal injuries that they said had been confirmed by doctors.