New Delhi, Sep 11 (PTI) A 48-year-old man was allegedly shot dead in Deoli Extension after acquaintances called him for a meeting, with police suspecting a money dispute between the victim and one of the accused as a possible motive behind the killing, officials said on Friday.
According to family members, the deceased, Devender Gupta, was invited by some people to meet and eat together on Thursday, when the incident happened in South Delhi. The family said they learned about the incident around midnight, which made them suspicious. “Some people called him to meet. I closed my shop and returned home by 10 pm. These people who called him did not inform us. We don’t trust them. They used to call him often since they were acquaintances,” Devender’s elder brother Sunil Gupta said.
He said Devender had three daughters and was involved in property-related work.
The victim’s cousin Sachin Gupta said the family was unaware of any enmity he had with anybody and is relying on the people who were with him to explain what happened.
“His friends called him to meet for eating together. We came to know around 12. He suffered a gunshot to his hand, which shows that they did this with planning. We do not know if there was some enmity. Only his friends can tell that. There was no one on the spot,” Sachin said.
According to police, preliminary investigation suggested that Devender took money from the accused and allegedly failed to return it despite repeated demands. The suspected money dispute is being examined as a possible motive for the killing, they said.
Police, however, are verifying the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the exact sequence of events.
Police learned about the incident after the Tigri Police Station received a call regarding the firing.
Devender was found with a firearm injury and was declared dead, police said.
They said the accused, identified as Mohid, 36, was apprehended at the spot. A country-made pistol and an empty cartridge were recovered from his possession, police said.
Family members questioned how police were informed about the incident.
“They are saying that the one who shot him is the one who called police. We don’t know what happened exactly,” Sachin said.
Police said the forensic science laboratory inspected the scene and preserved relevant evidence.
Police said they have registered a case, and further investigation is underway. Police are examining witness statements, CCTV footage, forensic and ballistic evidence and technical inputs to establish the sequence of events and the motive behind the killing. PTI SSJ ASD ASD
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