Kalkaji murder: Accused on the run

A day after a 35-year-old property dealer was shot dead, allegedly after a heated argument with a jewellery showroom owner over parking his motorcycle at a south east Delhi market, police are yet to trace the accused and his father, HT reports.

A day after a 35-year-old property dealer was shot dead, allegedly after a heated argument with a jewellery showroom owner over parking his motorcycle at a south east Delhi market, police are yet to trace the accused and his father.

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The incident, police said, took place at a commercial building in Kalkaji's K block area on Monday evening when the victim, Gopal Singh Negi, proprietor of Sai Properties, parked his motorcycle.

"Kalka Jewellers, a jewellery showroom owned and run by one Balwinder Malhotra, is located in the building and so is Negi's shop. The incident happened after Malhotra's staff entered into an argument with Negi for parking his motorcycle outside the shop around 8:30 pm," said an officer.

According to police, Negi barged inside Malhotra's showroom and began abusing his staff. Initial investigation, police said, revealed that Negi and Malhotra used to have regular arguments over parking.

Negi, police said, then had a confrontation with Malhotra and his son Bhupender.

"There was a heated argument between them. Minutes later, Gopal was shot by Bhupender," Negi's brother, Rajender claimed.

A group of onlookers and local residents rushed Negi to the adjacent Holy Family Hospital and the police were informed. Negi died on the way and was declared dead at the hospital.

"Balwinder and Bhupender are on the run. A case of murder has been lodged at the Kalkaji police station. Investigation is on to ascertain the exact sequence of events," the officer added.

Negi's body was handed over to his family after post-mortem at AIIMS on Tuesday.