NEW DELHI: Former MLA Bharat Singh was shot dead by a group of men during a programme in southwest Delhi’s Baba Haridas Nagar area on Sunday evening. Police said that Singh was rushed to a hospital in Gurgaon and suspect rivalry to be behind the attack. His personal security officer (PSO) and three of his supporters were also shot at by the criminals.
The incident was reported at around 8.10PM when Singh was attending a religious programme at Abhinandan Vatika banquet hall in Mundka. Police sources said that around eight men, who had arrived in three SUVs, stormed into the venue with pistols and started firing at the former INLD leader. A cop said that a total of 15 rounds were fired. Sources said that Singh had two PSOs, including personnel from Delhi Police.
A police officer said that at least two of the shots fired hit Singh on his head and chest. A supporter standing in front of him was shot thrice. The men then fired a few warning shots before fleeing the spot. A few of his supporters chased and even fired a few shots, but could not stop them. Singh was rushed to Medanta hospital in Gurgaon in an extremely critical state and later died of his injuries. His PSO and another supporter were also taken to the same hospital and are stated to be stable.
Minutes after the incident, a team led by DCP RA Sanjeev along with a team from Baba Haridas Nagar police station reached the spot. A crime and forensic team was also rushed there. CCTV footages from the area have been recovered.
In 2012, Singh was shot at by a group of men at his party office in Najafgarh but had escaped with an injury to his shoulder. Police had arrested three men, including an MBA graduate, in the attempt to murder case. Singh’s brother Krishan Pahalwan is a former gangster in Najafgarh.
In 2012, Both Singh and Pahalwan had a falling out with three gangs leaders in the area, including Vikas Langpuria from the nearby Langpur village, Vicky from Jharoda village and Sandeep Mental, who is considered to be the Delhi head of Manoj Bakkarwala’s gang in 2012.