Victim attacked first, ex-airman tells police

MOHALI:Rajesh Malik, 45, a former flight lieutenant with the Indian Air Force who was arrested on Saturday for shooting and injuring an ex-navy officer at Kharar’s Jal Vayu Vihar, has reportedly told police that he was attacked first due to an old grudge nursed by the victim and the gunshots were fired during the scuffle.

Of the three gunshots fired by Malik from his licensed revolver, one had hit Narinder Verma, 46, who stays in the same housing society. Verma is presently admitted to a private hospital in Phase 6, Mohali.

Verma, after leaving the Indian Navy has been working with the civil aviation department of the Haryana government. Malik alleged that he was a witness in an inquiry against Verma and had recorded his statement in the case on June 8. Malik, who is also a former president of the housing society’s resident welfare association, alleged that Verma was nursing a grudge against him and that had led to the scuffle on Saturday evening.

Malik reportedly told police that he was cycling when Verma and his friend hurled abuses at him and even manhandled him. Malik then went to his house to get his revolver, and upon returning was allegedly attacked by the two along with two other men who had joined them. “I did not intent to fire and had told them to stay away from me. The gunshots were fired during the scuffle. Verma even took away my weapon,” said Malik in his statement to the police, confirmed

According to Malik’s medical examination, he had sustained half a dozen blunt injuries on his body, indicating that he was beaten up before police took him into custody. Malik was produced before court on Sunday and sent to three-day police custody. Police had recovered Malik’s revolver from the dashboard of injured Verma’s car. A case has been registered under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code and Arms Act.

“Malik and Verma had been picking up fights with each other earlier too. Malik’s claims are yet to be verified. We are scanning CCTV footage. Things will get clear once Verma, who is unfit right now, records his statement,” said Pal Singh, deputy superintendent of police, Kharar.