Short Fuse & Long List Of Crimes

New Delhi: On Tuesday, a man was murdered in southeast Delhi's Pul Prahladpur after he refused to give someone a bidi. The incident is one more in a series of violent outbursts over trivial matters. In the past six months, 24 such incidents have been reported. The disputes apparently stemmed from petty triggers such as spilled food, loud music or refusal to lend money for alcohol.
Experts attribute these crimes to a lack of patience and impulsive behaviour, noting that many individuals have raw emotional impulses that elicit violent responses. Between Oct 2024 and March this year, 22 people lost their lives and five others were injured in incidents sparked by arguments over trivial matters. In one of the cases reported in Jan, a bus conductor shot dead a driver over a peg of liquor in Alipur. In Feb, a man carrying food items was beaten to death by a bus driver and two others in Bawana after he spilled the food on the bus seat.

According to police, a multitude of factors contribute to the escalation of minor issues into deadly crimes. "Arrogance and humiliation play significant roles because individuals become easily offended by minor slights," a police officer explained. "In some cases, people perceive even small setbacks as a blow to their ego, leading to a disproportionate response."
In the heat of the moment, the perpetrators' anger can cloud judgment, causing them to ignore the consequences of their actions. A police officer said some individuals commit crimes only to assert dominance within their community. "After committing the crime, many offenders are overcome with guilt. But regrettably, by then, it's too late," the officer said, adding that alcohol often served as a catalyst for such murderous impulses.
A Delhi Police analysis shows that "murder for gains by criminals" only comprised 8% of homicides in the city last year. Sudden provocation and killings over trivial issues comprised 30% of fatal crimes in 2024, while 22% ofT murders were committed due to personal enmity, 12% in family disputes and 10% involved illicit relations.
According to Dr Rajiv Mehta, senior consultant psychiatrist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, individuals who commit crimes of this manner often exhibit characteristic traits. "Culprits tend to be impatient and impulsive, driven by a toxic mix of dominance, narcissism and entitlement to power," he explained. This combination, coupled with a lack of fear for the law, can lead individuals to become increasingly aggressive and commit heinous crimes.
Mehta noted that the absence of fear for the law is a significant contributing factor. "In the past, children were taught patience and self-control, but this lesson is often missing today," he observed. "Instead, excessive pampering can foster an unhealthy sense of righteousness, leading individuals to believe they are above the law," he said.
Many individuals possess a raw emotional nerve, easily triggered by small provocations, observed Dr Rajat Mitra, forensic psychology professor. "This heightened sensitivity causes people to become criminal perpetrators because they sense deep hurt and so justify their actions," he revealed.