The Hindu : One killed as neighbours clash

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 15, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

One killed as neighbours clash

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, FEB. 14. One person was killed and two sustained gunshot injuries in a row between neighbours over a minor issue at Okhla in South Delhi on Friday night. One person has been arrested in connection with the case which according to the police a result of "jealousy and rivalry" between the two families over the years.

On Friday, it all happened around 10-45 p.m. when Vijay Gupta, a resident of Tughlakabad Extension in Okhla, was going home on his scooter which allegedly brushed against a stationary Maruti Zen car belonging to Anil Gupta, his neighbour. As Anil entered into a verbal duel with him, his elder brother, Vinod Gupta, and his cousins, Srikrishan Gupta and Surender Gupta came out and beat up Vijay.

At the time, Vijay left the place only to return with his son, Lilu, and family members, Suresh, Amlesh and Raghuvansh. Vijay and Suresh were carrying country-made revolvers. They opened fire at Vinod and his cousins who were still standing there. One of the bullets hit Surender on his head killing him on the spot. Vinod sustained gunshot injury on his chest, while Srikrishan sustained injury on his leg. Anil, however, remained unhurt.

The police reached the spot after being informed about the incident and rushed Vinod and Srikrishan to All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Their condition is reported to be stable. They also managed to arrest Lilu. However, Vijay and other family members involved in the incident managed to escape.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the heads of the two families, Vijay and Vinod, who originally hail from Uttar Pradesh, had opened ration and kerosene oil shops together a few years ago. Over a period of time, Vijay managed to open at least six more shops at various places like Govindpuri, Prahladpur and also Tughlakabad Extension. Vinod, however, could only open two more shops. This disparity had been a bone of contention between the families and had led to ugly spats earlier too. For the past couple of years, the families were not on talking terms.

Meanwhile, the Okhla police have registered a case of murder and attempt to murder and have launched a hunt for Vijay and his family members.

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