In a tragic turn of events in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, a 30-year-old delivery agent, Bharat Sahu, was reportedly killed while attempting to deliver the latest Apple iPhone to customers who had opted to pay in cash, according to local police. Sahu, who worked for the online e-commerce portal Flipkart, was declared missing when he failed to return home, with his family raising concerns.
The accused, identified as a resident of Chinhat in Lucknow, had ordered an Apple iPhone worth approximately Rs 1,50,000 (£1,338) through Flipkart with cash-on-delivery (COD) as the chosen payment method. When Sahu arrived at the accused’s residence to deliver the phone, he was allegedly strangled by the accused, named Gajanan, and an accomplice. The perpetrators then disposed of Sahu’s body in a nearby canal.
Senior police official Shashank Singh revealed that the delivery agent’s call records helped trace the accused, leading to the arrest of Gajanan and his associate, known by the name Akash. Although Akash confessed to the crime during interrogation, the motive behind the murder remains undisclosed.
The search for Sahu’s body is still ongoing as authorities delve deeper into the case. This incident sheds light on the risks faced by delivery agents in their line of work, emphasising the need for safety precautions in such professions.
The rise in demand for Apple products in India was highlighted, with the company’s annual sales experiencing a significant surge, despite the high prices of products like the iPhone 15 in comparison to the country’s median monthly wage. Apple’s market share in India remains relatively small, with Android devices dominating the majority of sales.
The launch of the iPhone 16 earlier in September drew devoted Apple enthusiasts to stores across India, showcasing the unwavering popularity of the brand in the country. As Apple continues to expand its presence in the Indian market, safety measures for delivery agents and customers alike become increasingly crucial to prevent such tragic incidents from reoccurring.