In a sensational daylight robbery attempt in Connaught Place, a 50-year-old man was shot at by two bike-borne men on Wednesday morning after he resisted snatching bid. The victim, identified as Tasveer Singh, survived the attack and is being treated in a Government hospital.
According to shop owners and parking attendants, the incident took place around 10 am just metres from the busy Rajiv Chowk Metro Station in the heart of Delhi when the unidentified duo attempted to snatch Singh’s bag.
One of the parking attendants in block A of Connaught Place, not far from the spot of crime, said he did not see the accused shooting at the man. However, he stated that he heard the scream following scuffle and the gunshot.
“locals told police that the two men had arrived at the spot at least half an hour before the incident and were waiting for the victim to arrive. Soon after he appeared, the two masked men tried to snatch his bag and when he resisted, they opened fire on him. Seeing him collapse, they fled. By the time the crowd gathered at the spot. Police were then called and the man was rushed to hospital, where his condition was said to be out of danger,” said a senior police officer.
New Delhi DCP Madhur Verma said Singh, a resident of Rohini, had arrived in Connaught Place where he is employed at a money exchange bureau. Verma said as Singh’s sons are in jail, possibilities of attack for extortion, personal enmity or robbery attempt are also being looked into.
While one son is charged with attempt to murder, the other son is charged with molestation, said police.
“There was no money in the bag that the victim was carrying. His condition is not serious and doctors have declared him out of danger. Efforts to identify the accused are being made and CCTV footage from the vicinity is being scanned,” the DCP said.
Another man who works at a shop near the spot said he had arrived late as shops usually open after 11 am. “When I came I heard that such an incident has happened. I informed my owner also. However, police had arrived at the spot and it had been cleared by then. Such an incident is rare at a place like Connaught Place,” said Malik, who lives in laxmi Nagar.