A stray bullet injured a 20-year-old on Wednesday night during a family function in south-west Delhi’s Palam. The police have started an investigation but suspect it to be a case of celebratory firing gone wrong.
College student Akshay, a resident of Ram Nagar, was at a family function in Manglapuri when a bullet hit him in the right forearm around 11 p.m. He was rushed to a hospital, which referred him to Ganga Ram Hospital.
Surgery advised
“The hospital has asked him to get his hand operated,” said his sister Rita (38).
She added, “The function, organised for my four-month-old grandson, was held in a park outside. Akshay was having dinner when the bullet hit him. We were busy attending to guests and never saw anyone firing,” she claimed.
Though her 16-year-old daughter Anjali initially said she didn’t know who the accused was, she later added that “someone told me the man who had used the pistol was heavily drunk”.
The family is unsure whether he was shot at intentionally or accidentally. “I don’t think it has anything to do with enmity because all the people invited were family or friends. The intention remains unclear,” said Ms. Rita.
On whether the incident was video-graphed, her daughter said they had only hired a photographer.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (south-west) Surender Kumar said, “We have registered a case under Section 336 (act endangering life or personal safety) of IPC and 25/54/59 Arms Act. We are looking for the accused.”