Minor among two held for firing at dentist in south Delhi’s Kalkaji last week

The doctor survived the attack as he had shielded himself with a register when the man, who had earlier worked at his clinic, fired a bullet at him

A 22-year-old man was arrested while his juvenile friend was apprehended for allegedly attempting to kill a dentist at his clinic in south Delhi’s Kalkaji last week, police said on Thursday. The doctor survived the attack as he had shielded himself with a register when the man, who had earlier worked at his clinic, fired a bullet at him.

After several raids, the police caught Singh from Sonia Vihar on Wednesday. His interrogation led to the apprehension of the teenager and recovery of the gun as well as the motorcycle used in the crime. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The bullet got stuck in the register and saved the dentist’s life, the police said.

Senior police officers said that the arrested man, Naveen Singh, was angry with the dentist because of a financial dispute and because he was allegedly in a relationship with his sister. Singh’s two sisters also worked at the clinic.

“Some months ago, a heated argument took place between Singh and the doctor over the two issues. Singh felt humiliated after finding out about the dentist’s relationship with his sister. He pledged to take revenge from him and planned it with the 17-year-old boy,” said deputy commissioner of police (southeast) Esha Pandey.

On November 27, the dentist was at his clinic when Singh and his juvenile friend arrived on a motorcycle. The teenager remained on the bike while Singh barged into the clinic wearing a helmet and went straight into the doctor’s chamber. He pulled out a firearm and fired a shot. As the dentist immediately shielded himself with a register, the bullet got stuck into it and saved his life. Singh tried to reload the gun but it malfunctioned. Then he ran out of the clinic and fled on the motorcycle with his associate, said DCP Pandey.

After several raids, the police caught Singh from Sonia Vihar on Wednesday. His interrogation led to the apprehension of the teenager and recovery of the gun as well as the motorcycle used in the crime, the police said.