Ex-journalist shot at by masked men

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 23

A former crime journalist was shot at by masked armed assailants when she was travelling in her car in East Delhi’s New Ashok Nagar area past midnight.

The assailants first threw eggs on her car and then opened fire. After the incident, they fled, said a 

police official.

Former journalist Mitali Chandola (32) received bullet injuries in her right arm. She was admitted to Dharamshila Hospital, where her condition was stable, said East Delhi DCP Jasmeet Singh.

Chandola had been staying in Noida and worked in a media house as crime journalist in Gautam Budh Nagar district, the police added.

The incident took place at 12:30 am on Sunday when Chandola was driving near Dharamshila Hospital. A Maruti Swift suddenly overtook her i-20 car. 

  Two masked men came out of the car and first threw eggs on the car’s windshield, after which they opened fire. Two bullets pierced the windshield and one hit her in the hand, said a police official.

Chandola had been living separately from her husband. She said she was not on good terms with her family, according to the police.

“Prima facie, it appears to be a case of family dispute. We are investigating other aspects. A case of attempt to murder has been registered at the Mayur Vihar police station,” said the DCP.

“An investigation is under way to ascertain the identity of assailants,” he said. The police said they were investigating whether any gang targeting motorists at night to rob them was involved in the attack.

The crew of a TV channel travelling in a car were attacked by assailants at South Delhi’s Barapurla flyover last week, but they escaped unhurt.