Patient shot dead at Delhi’s GTB Hospital, 18-year-old suspect absconding as police launch probe

The 32-year-old patient was undergoing treatment for abdominal infection. The assailant fired multiple shots at the victim inside the ward.

File photo of GTB Hospital, Delhi | gtbh.delhi.gov.in

New Delhi: A 32-year-old man, undergoing treatment at Delhi’s Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital was shot dead inside a ward Sunday afternoon. 

According to the police, a PCR call was received about a firing incident in the hospital’s ward no. 24, where the patient was admitted.

Prima facie, the police suspect a case of mistaken identity, sources said.

“The victim had no case against him, was a drug addict, and had undergone abdominal surgery recently. We suspect he had come to kill someone else. Police have identified some people, probe on,” source said.

The deceased man was identified as Riyazuddin, a resident of Khajuri Khas in Northeast Delhi. According to sources, multiple shots were fired in the hospital ward by the accused, who is an 18-year-old.

“The victim, Riyazuddin, was admitted on 23 June for treatment of abdominal inflection. Around 4 pm, the accused came inside the ward and fired at the victim. Further investigation is underway,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Surendra Chowdhary said.

The patient was intubated for oxygen support at the time of the incident. The suspect is yet to be arrested.

“Negligence will not be tolerated. Whoever is guilty will not be spared. There will be a review of security of all hospitals,” said Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, adding that the government would be reviewing security arrangements in hospitals.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that there are no metal detectors at GTB Hospital and that the accused went straight to the third floor, where the deceased was admitted. The police have filed a case and launched a probe to discern the motive.

This is an updated version of the report.

(Edited by Mannat Chugh)