IISER scientist from Bengal dies in Punjab after neighbour assaults him over parking dispute, incident on CCTV

A scientist who worked at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Mohali has died after a parking dispute outside his rented home. A CCTV footage of the incident has emerged that shows the victim, Abhishek Swarnkar, engaged in a verbal spat with a neighbour who then pushes him to the ground and thrashes him.

According to information, Swarnkar was from Bengal and had recently undergone a kidney transplant. He was also on dialysis. Following the clash on Tuesday, his condition reportedly deteriorated, eventually leading to his death.

In the CCTV video, some residents of the region could be seen standing near a bike. Swarnkar then walks to the two-wheeler and following a chat, removes it from the spot. Within a few seconds, a fight breaks out between one of the residents and the scientist. A neighbour pins Swarnkar to the ground and starts beating him. Both their families immediately intervene, but the scientist struggles to stand and collapses on the ground. Soon after, several other neighbours step out and assemble near the area, surrounding the scientist who remains motionless on the road.

The police are investigating the matter and will take action based on the CCTV footage. Swarnkar’s family and neighbours are furious about the incident, and have demanded strict punishment against the accused.

Senior police officer Gagandeep Singh told India Today that a case under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 has been registered against the accused.

The accused neighbour has been missing since the incident and efforts are on to arrest him.

Swarnkar’s postmortem will be conducted today after his family arrived in Mohali on Wednesday.

(Inputs from Kamaljit Sandhu)