Boy killed for serving tea late

MUMBAI, March 23: Uttam Dalvi was beaten to death because he served Ganesh Parab his cuppa a few minutes late. The 14 year-old boy, pushing teacups at a Lower Parel stall, was busy with customers on Friday evening, when Parab (17) turned up and demanded a cup of tea. Eyewitnesses said when Dalvi brought him a cup, the latter pushed it away, demanding an explanation for the delay. An argument ensued and Parab punched Dalvi in the stomach. Clutching his tummy, the boy collapsed and died while being taken to KEM Hospital. The 17-year-old Parab owns a paan shop near BDD Chawl, N M Joshi Marg, just 20 feet away from Dalvi’s tea stall. Eyewitnesses lodged a complaint with the N M Joshi Marg police station, following which Parab was arrested.

Dalvi and Parab resided in the same building (No 4 of BDD chawl) and were acquainted with each other. Dalvi’s room-mate, Sudhakar Dalvi, told Express Newsline that Uttam was the sole breadwinner of his family and would send his savings to his parents, who livein Kolhapur. "Nandev Dalvi, Uttam’s uncle, left for Kolhapur yesterday along with Uttam’s body. Uttam’s father Janava will be devastated when he sees his son’s dead body," Sudhakar said.

A police officer said Parab did not intend to kill Dalvi but lost his temper during the argument. However, the blow he dealt Dalvi proved fatal.

Eyewitnesses said they did not intervene in the argument as they thought it was just a harmless altercation between two friends.