A day after two men shot dead a 52-year-old businessman who returned home after walking in the morning in Shahdara, the police suspect that he may have been ‘mistaken’. Police officials also believe the incident to be the result of a gang and monetary dispute.
According to officials, “It is possible that Sunil Jain was killed due to ‘mistaken identity’ as his body resembled the ‘real target’ and they shared the same routine.” Police are probing this angle, officials said.
Who was the real target?
Police claimed it was the father of a juvenile accused, who planned to kill a property dealer and his 16-year-old nephew on Diwali. Due to a conspiracy, Anil alias Sonu Matka shot and killed 40-year-old Akash Sharma alias Chhotu and his nephew Rishabh Sharma in Furs Bazar.
The police had earlier said, “The CCTV footage of the incident (in Faras Bazar) showed that the assailant first touched the victim’s leg and then shot him. One of the accused in this incident, a minor, has been arrested. A member of the Hashim Baba gang is absconding from Matka.”
On Sunday, police claimed that the alleged assailants asked Jain if he was the father of the juvenile involved in the floor market case. He rejected it. “But they didn’t believe Jain because his body type matched the man they were looking for,” said a police official.
Jain, who runs a pottery business, went for a walk with his friends at the Yamuna Sports Complex. He and his friend Sumit were returning home on a scooter at 8 am when the assailants attacked them on 60 feet road near Swarna Cinema in Shahdara.
“They asked him his name and then proceeded to shoot him. Jain offered them whatever they wanted, but they fired five rounds at him and fled the scene,” said a police officer.
The police said that the man on a blue motorcycle took a U-turn and fled towards Biswas Nagar. They have not been arrested yet.
The police also said that Sumit also mentioned a name before the attacker opened fire and Jain shot him dead saying that he was not himself.
Police officials investigating the case also said that so far they have not been able to frame any charges against Jain or his call records. The police on Sunday also questioned the family members and his close aides for clarification.