Safdarjung shooting: 1 of 5 youths escapes

One of the five youths who were arrested for their involvement in the daylight shooting incident at south Delhi’s Safdarjung Enclave area on Wednesday, escaped from police custody on Thursday. HT reports.

One of the five youths who were arrested for their involvement in the daylight shooting incident at south Delhi’s Safdarjung Enclave area on Wednesday, escaped from police custody on Thursday.

HT Image

"The man, identified as Ajit, escaped from the Safdarjung Hospital. He had been admitted there late last night after his health deteriorated during questioning," said a senior police officer from the team investigating the incident.

Police said Hasimuddin and Rohit were among the three injured, when a war of words between two groups escalated into a shooting-cum-stone pelting incident in Safdarjung Enclave’s A-1 block on Wednesday afternoon.

“The incident was reported from outside the Jerusalem Mar thoma Syrian Church in Raj Nagar locality, which comes under the Safdarjung Enclave Police Station. There were seven to eight members in each group,” said the officer.

Police had arrested 10 persons, including Ajit, Rohit, Surender, Monty Prajapati and Hasimuddin, for their involvement in the incident.

“Ajit was taken to Safdarjung Hospital after he said that he was not feeling well. Initially, we thought he was making excuses but we admitted him to the hospital when he lost consciousness. He escaped from his ward at 6 am,” the officer said.

According to police, several teams have been dispatched to trace Ajit as soon as possible.

“We are conducting raids at his possible hideouts and questioning of his family members are also on,” the officer added.