“Finish fast, let’s leave”: Moments before a teen was shot at in Amar Colony eatery

New Delhi: “One of the boys started tampering with the chair next to mine. When Sai objected, the boy began staring at him and verbally abusing him,” the girl, cited by police as the prime witness, told investigators while recounting the moments leading up to the shooting of a 17-year-old boy at an eatery in southeast Delhi’s Amar Colony.

In her statement, accessed by TOI, she further said, “After that, Sai asked me to quickly finish my food so we could leave. The boys also left for a few moments. They later returned, and the boy who had abused Sai shot him in the back of the head with the intention to kill him. When people present there tried to stop them, they fled while waving their weapons.”

Two days after the incident, the investigation has been transferred from the district police to the Crime Branch. Police are also considering moving an application before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) seeking that the main accused, who is also a minor, be tried as an adult in view of the seriousness of the offence and his alleged criminal background.

The victim, identified as Sai Kumar, remains in critical condition and is undergoing treatment at a hospital, police said.

Investigators said that apart from the main shooter, who has been apprehended, three more accused were allegedly involved in the incident. Police suspect two of them are minors, while one is an adult. All three are currently absconding.

Multiple police teams are carrying out raids in Haryana and other states to trace and apprehend the remaining suspects. “The main accused who has been apprehended has a previous criminal record in an attempted murder case in Kalkaji. We are contemplating moving an application before the JJB to try him as an adult,” a senior police officer said.

When questioned about the firearm used in the shooting, the accused allegedly told investigators that he had procured the pistol from a person who is currently absconding. Police said they are now working to establish the supply chain of the weapon and identify individuals who may have assisted the accused before and after the attack.

Sai’s family has earlier alleged that the accused also stared at the girl and passed objectionable remarks before assaulting him. Police said these allegations are being verified as part of the investigation.