Delhi: Toddler shot at as relatives fiddle with new pistol, 2 held

Police alleged that the grandaunt initially lied to them to save her daughter-in-law. Two other members of the family, who allegedly bought the pistol and are involved, are absconding.

The incident took place around 1 am Saturday. The grandaunt (47) initially said she was walking home with her sister’s grandson from Shastri Nagar to Than Singh Nagar when two people came on a bike and shot at her near the Sarai Rohilla flyover. She alleged that the bullet hit the boy in the shoulder.

The toddler was rushed to a hospital and underwent surgery following severe blood loss. “We took the grandaunt’s statement and tried verifying the allegations, but there seemed to be some discrepancies. The team suspected the woman’s involvement. We checked more than two dozen CCTVs and found nothing,” said a senior police officer.

The team then visited the child’s grandmother and parents and made enquiries, and found that their statements differed from that of the complainant.

Sagar Singh Kalsi, DCP (North), said, “The woman was questioned again and she blamed a local behind the incident. We found that she was lying, after which she confessed. The woman said her daughter-in-law, aged 20, accidentally fired at the baby boy while they were trying a new weapon at their home. We have recovered a blood-stained bedsheet from their home and the weapon used during the offence.”

Police said a search is on to nab the woman’s absconding sons. The aunt and grandaunt have been arrested and booked under sections of criminal conspiracy and giving false information to a public servant.