A day after a 17-year-old boy died after he was shot in the head at a hookah bar in Southeast Delhi, police said two teenagers have been apprehended in connection with the case. According to police, the duo had allegedly planned to kill another boy who was ‘trolling’ one of them on social media. However, police said the boys allegedly opened fire negligently inside the bar, killing the 17-year-old in the process. The deceased has been identified as Kunal. His friend was also injured in the incident. The boys had come to attend a birthday party at the bar, said police. Police said that around 3.15 pm they received a call saying that a group of 7-8 boys had allegedly attacked the deceased with weapons, including a pistol. “The hookah bar was being run on the first floor. Our team had found the deceased lying in a pool of blood with a bullet injury to the head. His friend had an injury to his leg,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Rajesh Deo. Police said during enquiry, they found that the apprehended juveniles were targetting another boy. “Their target had posted a video in which he hurled abuses at one of the juveniles. This angered him and his friends. Eight of them came to the bar after they found out that the boy was celebrating his friend’s birthday there and decided to eliminate him,” said an officer. “The deceased was shot over mistaken identity,” said DCP Deo. Soon after the incident, the juveniles fled on a bike and were apprehended later, said police, adding that they have recovered weapons and the vehicle used at the time of the offence. Kunal is survived by his parents and younger sister. The family hails from Maharashtra and moved to Delhi a couple of years ago. Kunal’s father, Rajiv Joshi, said, “What did he do wrong? He was not like the other boys in the area. He wanted to work and earn money to help us. I last saw him around Saturday afternoon. He told me he was going to meet a few friends at a birthday party. I was resting near my house when locals came rushing me to and told me about the firing. I thought he was shot in the leg and would survive. When I reached AIIMS, I saw his body with a bullet injury to his head. I was shocked. He never got involved in fights or anything wrong. I want every accused to be arrested. My son didn’t even know them.” His mother, who works as a domestic help, refused to speak. A police officer added, “We have been told that the hookah bar had shut on April 1 this year. We are checking their papers and will take appropriate action against the owner (for continuing to function).”
