Police say suspect was wearing a brown cap and a white shirt, dodged three-layer security, barely 2 km from the Parliament.
New Delhi: The man who allegedly tried to open fire at JNU student Umar Khalid outside New Delhi’s Constitution Club Monday, had managed to walk around with his pistol, dodging three layers of tight security in place ahead of Independence Day. He also managed to flee despite heavy police deployment, just 600 metres away, for a state BJP event.
So far, all the police know about the suspect is that he was wearing a brown cap and a white shirt.
The incident was reported at around 2.30 pm when Khalid and his friend Anis Ahmad, who were at the Constitution Club to attend an event, Khauf- se– Azaadi, were having tea at a stall outside the club premises.
According to Anis, while they were chatting, a man reportedly came from behind and tapped Khalid’s shoulder. The moment Khalid turned, the man reportedly whipped out a pistol and opened fire.
Police said the pistol, which was rusted, jammed. There was, however, a brief scuffle as Khalid’s friends tried to overpower the suspect. Khalid fell on the ground but escaped unhurt.
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“We are being told that someone pounced on Khalid and then opened fire at him. The pistol, however, jammed. The people tried to chase him but he managed to flee. We are also being told that two rounds were fired, one in the air, but we are yet to verify these claims,” Deputy Commissioner of Police, Madhur Verma said.
The police have registered a case of attempt to murder against unknown persons in the matter and the case has now been transferred to Delhi Police Crime Branch.
No cartridges found
Although the police have recovered the country-made weapon from the spot, they have not found any cartridges to support the claims of a few eyewitnesses.
Police have now accessed the CCTV footage from the area and will analyse it to ascertain the identity of the man.
The police have not zeroed in on a suspect, but a JNU students’ WhatsApp group has begun circulating a threat message, which it claims was received this morning, and allegedly meant for Khalid.
The message, signed by ‘MAFIA DON RAVI POOJARY’, reads, “Just shut your mouth or we will shut your mouth forever. Tell Umar Khalid and Jignesh Mevani also.”
Soon after the attack, Khalid released a statement saying that it did not come as a surprise.
“Anyone who opposes or questions the present government or its policies is branded as an anti-national, so I am not surprised about this attack,” he said.