Shooting at Mohali disco: Club owner used illegal pistol, say cops

Mohali: The disco owner who shot a man during a late-night altercation at Skull Club in Bestech Mall, Phase 11, used an illegally procured pistol stored in his desk drawer, police said on Friday. The incident, which occurred around 1 am on Thursday, left the victim, Sidharth Delu of Ganganagar, Rajasthan, critically injured.According to police, the root of the confrontation was an accidental brush between Delu's female companion and the accused, club owner Aditya Vij, on the dance floor. "The victim was dancing with his female friends when Aditya's shoulder accidentally hit one of them. This minor incident triggered a heated argument between Delu and Vij," said DSP Harsimran Singh Bal.The verbal spat escalated and spilled outside the disco, where, in a fit of rage, Vij allegedly retrieved a .32 bore pistol from his office drawer and shot Delu in the stomach.The police confirmed that the weapon used was illegal and added that they will recommend cancellation of the club's bar licence. "It is purely his mistake. He should have de-escalated the situation as the club's owner, but chose to act violently instead. We will recommend cancellation of his operational licence," DSP Bal said.Both Vij and his accomplice were presented before the duty magistrate and have been sent to police remand for further questioning.Police also clarified that Skull Club was operating under a special provision with an extended licence obtained by paying an additional fee to the administration.An FIR has been registered at the Phase 11 police station under Sections 115, 109, 351(3), 126(2), 190, and 191 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant sections of the Arms Act. Further investigation is ongoing.