Trader shot at,cops rule out robbery bid

A 65-year-old businessman was shot at in Central Delhis Hauz Qazi area when he and his son were returning home from their hardware shop on Friday night.

Police said it could be case of personal enmity because the man who shot at Mahendra Kumar Gupta didnt attempt to rob the father and son,who were carrying Rs 40,000 in a briefcase.

Gupta and his son Aashish (34) left their shop in Jyoti Market around 7.30 pm and took a cycle-rickshaw to the parking space at New Delhi railway station. When they reached Shahtara Gali (in Hauz Qazi) around 7.45 pm,a man approached them, a police officer said.

He took out a country-made pistol and aimed at Gupta. Before he could pull the trigger,the two men pushed the assailant. But he managed to take aim again and shoot at Gupta from close range. The bullet pierced Guptas jaw from the left side and his son suffered a shrapnel wound on the cheek, the officer said.

Aashish,who lives in AGCR Enclave,Karkardooma,said the man disappeared before he could call for help.

As Gupta was bleeding profusely,Aashish hailed an autorickshaw and took his father to Lok Nayak Hospital. He is currently being treated there. Aashish said the man could be 25 to 30 years old. He was dark and wearing black clothes, the police officer said.

Police said the businessman and his son were carrying their days earnings,Rs 40,000,in a briefcase.

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This appears to be a case of personal enmity. They were carrying a briefcase full of cash,but the assailant didnt make any attempt to snatch it. He simply fired at Gupta and fled. It appears that he had been tracking the two men for quite some time, the officer said.

A case of attempt to murder under Section 307 IPC has been registered.

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