An eight-year-old boy died after a bullet pierced through his cheek during a celebratory firing by unidentified miscreants in Usmanpur area of northeast Delhi during New Year celebration. Police said that they have detained a few people in connection with the case for questioning.

According to the police, the deceased has been identified as Rehan, who convinced his father to dance in the gathering outside the house, when the incident took place.

"We received a police control room call at around 11: 30 pm from the Jag Pravesh Chandra hospital informing about a minor receiving bullet injuring during celebration brought dead to the hospital. A team rushed to the hospital and found an eight-year-old had a bullet pierced through his cheek and had come out from his stomach. A case has been registered and his body has been sent for post- mortem," said Atul Kumar Thakur, Deputy Commissioner of Police (north east).

During investigation, it came to light that Rehan and his elder brother Sameer (17) joined around ten other boys of the locality to dance in the area during celebrations.

"The elders of the household were witnessing the celebration when one of the youth slouching on the wall next to Rehan's house fired in the air. Suddenly Rehan collapsed on the wall and blood was oozing out of his mouth. His father picked him up and rushed him to the hospital where he was declared brought dead. Meanwhile others fled from the spot," said Thakur.

According to Sahana, Rehan's aunt, he was fond of dancing but his father never allowed him to dance with other people.

"With the help of his father's friends, Rehan managed to convince his father to allow him to dance as it was right next to the house. We didn't know something of this sort could ever happen," said Sahana, Rehan's aunt.

While on December 12, Celebratory firing claimed an innocent life when a stray bullet hit a 14-year-old boy during an engagement ceremony in Dadri. The incident took place around 5 pm when Ghodi Bacheda village resident Gaurav Singh got in the way of a stray bullet in the MU sector. Police officials familiar with the matter said that the bullet hit the boy in the neck while multiple pellets pierced his chest. He was rushed to the Kailash Hospital in Greater Noida where he was declared dead on arrival by medical professionals.

UGLY TURN

• Rehan, the victim was fond of dancing and had convinced his father to dance during the celebration in the locality   
• During the celebration one of the youth slouching on the wall next to Rehan’s house fired in the air.