Delhi cop shoots dead delivery worker, injures his friend after argument; arrested

NEW DELHI: A Delhi Police head constable posted with the special cell allegedly opened fire with his service-issued Glock pistol after an argument in southwest Delhi's Jafarpur Kalan area early Sunday, killing a 21-year-old food delivery worker and injuring his friend, aged 30. The victims, seated on a bike, were shot with a single bullet, with the rider shot first and killed on the spot.

The suspect, Neeraj Balhara, switched off his phone and absconded after the crime but was nabbed by special cell near Rohtak late Sunday evening and handed over to local police. He was evasive when confronted.

The incident occurred around 2am in Rawta village. Pandav, a resident of Bindapur, and his friend Krishan had stepped out after a birthday celebration.

The gathering was organised to celebrate the second birthday of the son of Pandav's relative Rupesh Kumar, a migrant from Bihar's Khagariya who has been living in the area for the past three years. About 20 people attended the function.

After the cake-cutting ceremony, the group began dispersing, and 13 people, including two children, moved to the main road to arrange transport. Pandav, Krishan and another friend, Deepak (21), left on a motorcycle while their other friends were on a scooter.

Neeraj, who has been residing in the neighbourhood for nearly 15 years, approached the group from across the road and started questioning their presence, police said.

"We were near a property dealer's office when a man came out appearing intoxicated. Our friends had moved ahead at that point. We were speaking in our native language when the man turned abusive and targeted us for being from Bihar. He became increasingly aggressive, pulled out a pistol, placed it on the motorcycle's handle, and fired at close range," Deepak alleged. Rupesh also claimed the cop "seemed upset about us being from Bihar and kept abusing us".

"He pointed his service weapon towards Pandav's chest and fired. The bullet pierced his chest and exited, hitting Krishan, who was sitting directly behind him on a motorcycle, in the right abdomen," a senior police officer said.

Deepak alleged that the suspect showed no remorse and continued issuing threats even after the incident, before fleeing the spot. Hearing the gunshot, their friends turned back and rushed Pandav and Krishan to Rao Tula Ram Memorial Hospital, where Pandav was declared brought dead. Krishan, who suffered a serious abdominal injury, is currently undergoing treatment at Deen Dayal Upadhayay Hospital. The hospital informed police about the incident around 2.30am.

Police sources said the suspect is a native of Bahu Akbarpur village of Meham in Haryana's Rohtak district and had been living alone in a rented accommodation in Rawta village. Locals claimed he was often seen in an aggressive state, though no formal complaints had been lodged against him earlier.

The cop joined the force in 2006 and was in the southern range of special cell. The Delhi police chief has asked special CP Anil Shukla to ensure order in the unit. A case of murder and attempt to murder has been registered under sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and under relevant sections of Arms Act.


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