He is now in Safdarjang Hospital with stitches on his chin and left cheek and all this because he offered a lift to someone on the road. The `hitch-hiker' stopped him, punched him and kept hitting him till Chakravarty lost consciousness.

He then made off with the victim's motorcycle, money, shoes, a handbag and a wristwatch.

``The left side of his face is swollen and bruised,'' said his younger brother, Deepankar. Chakravarty's family is annoyed with what they term the lax attitude of the police. Deepankar said: ``The police came here to record my brother's statement two hours after he was brought to hospital.'' They had not registered an FIR even nine hours after he was found. It was eventually registered at 10.30 p.m at the R.K. Puram Police Station, more than 24 hours after the incident.

While the victim wallowed in hospital, the Hauz Khas and R.K. Puram police wrangled over who should handle the case. The bone of contention where was Chakravarty really found. According to the Hauz Khas police, the incident took place at a red light that lies under the jurisdiction of the R.K. Puram police post. But the latter argued that since Chakravarty was found on the pavement of the Deer Park -- around 150 m away from the red light -- the case should be handled by Hauz Khas.

Chakravarty was reportedly returning home after a visit to Safdarjang Enclave on his motorcycle at 7.30 p.m. He was stopped at the red light by the assailant who was hitch-hiking. When the victim stopped and asked where the person wanted to go, the assailant bashed in his face. Chakravarty fell from his motorcycle and the `hitch-hiker' kept on hitting him till he blacked out.

He was reportedly found by residents of R.K. Puram (Sector III) on Wednesday around 11 a.m. A PCR van took Chakravarty to Safdarjang hospital and simultaneously informed the police post at R.K. Puram (Sector IV).

The post in turn informed the Hauz Khas Police Station at 12.30 p.m. The Investigating Officer, however, went to the hospital only at 2 p.m. ``We only know whatever he has told the police in his statement,'' said Deepankar.

``The police found his insurance premium receipt on the spot and then they called us. But when I reached the place they had already taken him to the hospital,'' he said.