Five children have been detained on suspicion of murder following the death of an elderly dog walker, Bhim Sen Kohli, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a severe assault at a park in the United Kingdom.
The 80-year-old Kohli was walking his dog in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town, near Leicester, around 6:30pm on Sunday when he was reportedly “kicked in the neck.” He passed away the following night.
Authorities have arrested a 14-year-old boy and girl, as well as two 12-year-old girls, in connection with the murder.
Residents have described Kohli, a grandfather of two, as a “gentle” man who frequented the park daily with his dog.
Deep Singh Kalia, 70, a long-time neighbor who had known Kohli for over 30 years, remarked, “He was such a lovely guy. It is a horrible shock. I would meet up with him every day. We were both originally from the Punjab in India. He loved his allotment, and loved his dog, and loved his family. He used to own a factory that made jumpers and cardigans. I don’t know why anyone would have wanted to do something like this to him. He was just a very nice man who wouldn’t have done anything to provoke this.”
Mr. Kalia’s wife, Harjinder, added, “It is just awful. Bhim wouldn’t have harmed anyone.”
Detective Inspector Emma Matts, the lead investigator, stated, “Sadly, following the death of the victim, this has now become a murder investigation. Officers are continuing to work at speed to establish the details of the attack, and we have made a number of arrests as we continue to understand what has happened.”
Before his death, Mr. Kohli’s daughter revealed that he had been kicked in the neck and spine.
She told LeicestershireLive, “He had been taking the dog for a walk. He was about 30 seconds away from getting home when he was attacked. He was lying under the tree and at first he was complaining about his neck and now he’s not able to move his legs. He’s always been very active – he has three allotments. We’ve lived here for 40 years, and just recently there’s been a lot of anti-social behaviour, which has been reported to the police.”
At the time of the assault, Kohli was reportedly wearing a black jumper and grey jogging bottoms. The attack occurred near the park entrance on Bramble Way, and the group of young individuals fled before emergency services arrived.
Police are urging anyone who was in the park or the Bramble Way area between 6pm and 6:45pm on Sunday to come forward.
