Mohali brawl: Researcher suffered parking ordeal for a year, claims family

A day after a researcher of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) here died in a parking-related scuffle with his neighbour in Sector 67, deceased Dr Abhishek Swarnkar’s mother Malto Devi claimed that their next door neighbour, Monty (26), was harassing them over the parking of their son’s bike for the past one year.

“We rented this house in December 2023 as it was near IISER where my son was doing research. Abhishek had changed three-four places in the neighbourhood for parking his bike but he (Monty) always had a problem. When Abhishek parked somewhere else, other neighbours started objecting. He used to tell Abhishek to park his bike over the cover of a gutter, but it was an uneven place.”

The family, natives of Dhanbad in Jharkhand, said, “We were new to this place and did not know that vehicles had to be parked according to the place designated for accommodation. He said ‘teri gaadi uda dunga’ (I will throw your bike). When Abhishek said we will complain, he pushed him forcefully.”

The victim, Dr Abhishek Swarnkar (40), had just parked his bike and come upstairs when Monty started shouting near the bike. Soon, a scuffle ensued and Monty allegedly pinned Abhishek to the ground. The researcher fell on the ground and passed out. Monty took him to a hospital in his SUV but till then it was too late. It has now emerged that the victim was reportedly undergoing treatment for a kidney-related problem at the PGI.

The Phase 11 SHO, Gagandeep Singh, said, “A post-mortem examination was conducted today and the body handed over to the kin. The exact cause of death will be known after receiving the viscera report.”

The victim’s colleagues and friends are in a state of shock. “Abhishek was a bright researcher and it is sad that we lost him due to such a confrontation,” they said. Around 60 post-doctoral researchers at IISER stay outside the institute as there is no accommodation for them on the complex. However, junior students have the hostel facility.”

In the past decade, Mohali has seen a significant development in urban and rural areas, resulting in dense population. Owing to haphazard planning, the city is facing acute parking problem.

Abhishek, the only son in the family, is survived by his parents and two sisters. His father, too, has a kidney-related condition.