Jalandhar: Cloth showroom owner opens fire at employee

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Jalandhar, February 22

In a startling incident reported at a cloth showroom in Santokhpura area here, Lakshya Verma, the owner of the establishment, allegedly discharged a firearm at one of his employees. However, the targeted employee narrowly escaped unharmed and sought police action in the case.

The incident had taken place on February 16 and the victim had reported it to the police the following day, but no FIR was lodged in this connection. It was on Wednesday, the victim again visited the police and demanded action against his employer following which, the police booked Verma, under relevant sections of the IPC and launched an investigation into the case.

Amit Kalyan, the victim, recounted the encounter, stating that Verma, apparently inebriated, confronted him outside the showroom over a disagreement. The argument between the duo escalated following which Verma allegedly resorted to gunfire.

Sanjeev Kumar, SHO, Division No. 8, said the footage of the CCTV cameras installed at the showroom and nearby areas was being scanned to verify the victim’s allegations.

He said the police had seized a licensed pistol from the suspect last year. He said they were also verifying whose pistol was used by him in the incident. Meanwhile, no arrest has been made so far leaving Verma at large. In August 2023, Verma was implicated in a similar incident of firing over a property dispute. Despite prior legal entanglements, Verma has been evading arrest.