History-sheeter held for firing at neighbour in Govindpuri

A 40-year-old man, identified as Abdul Kadir, alias Lalla, was arrested within hours of allegedly shooting his neighbour following a heated altercation in South East Delhi’s Govindpuri area early on Sunday, the police said. According to the police, the accused has a history of criminal cases, including one of murder.

The incident took place around 1 am near Sant Nirankari School, Nehru Camp, Fateh Singh Road. A police control room call was received from a woman who reported that her brother-in-law had been shot. When a team reached the spot, they found that the injured, Rajkumar, had already been taken to Majeedia Hospital and was later shifted to AIIMS Trauma Centre.

Investigation revealed that Rajkumar was standing behind a jagran chowki when Abdul Kadir arrived. An argument broke out between the two, which quickly escalated. Kadir allegedly pulled out a firearm and opened fire, discharging three rounds.

Rajkumar sustained bullet injuries to his leg, lower chest, and hand, while a bystander Aman Joshi, was grazed in his arm by a bullet. “Both the injured were rushed to the hospital. The firing created panic in the area,” a police officer said.

A case under Sections 109(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and 25/27 of the Arms Act was registered at Govindpuri police station.

“Within two hours of the incident, Abdul Kadir was apprehended,” a senior officer said. “Efforts are on to recover the weapon used in the crime.”

During interrogation, Kadir told the police that he ran a meat shop from his residence and had gotten into an argument with the victim. In a fit of rage, he allegedly fired at Rajkumar, seriously injuring him. The police have recovered blood-stained clothes and an empty cartridge from the scene.

Abdul Kadir, Abdul Khalid’s son, is a resident of the Transit Camp in Govindpuri. The police said he was a habitual offender and was recently released on bail two months ago in a 2013 murder case. He was last arrested in the same case on a non-bailable warrant and has been involved in seven other criminal cases.

Officials said further investigation was underway to trace the firearm used and to verify whether the accused obtained it legally or through illegal sources. The police are also examining CCTV footage from nearby areas to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the firing.