Financier shot outside wedding venue

At 10.45 pm,when Hemant was standing outside the venue,the MCD Community Centre in Vikaspuri,a bullet hit him. The police said the guests tried to give him first-aid before calling the PCR.

Hemant worked as a financier in Chandni Chowk and also ran an electrical goods business. “His family was informed about the incident by someone at the wedding,” a senior police officer said,adding that they are not ruling out foul play as it is still not known who fired the shot.

But Hemant’s family told the police that they suspect Shekhar Singh,a local moneylender,to be behind the murder. Younger brother Kamal Kumar said Singh had threatened to harm the family after which he registered a complaint at the Police Headquarters earlier this month.

In the complaint,registered on May 21,Kamal had claimed that Singh already has numerous criminal cases registered against him and he and his family were scared for their lives.

In March,Kamal said,Singh framed two of their friends in a false case. “They were,however,let off after I testified in their favour. This enraged Singh and he threatened us with dire consequences,” said Kamal.

“Had the police helped us on time,this tragedy could have been averted. He has two young children whose future has been wrecked. What are we to do now?” asked Kamal.

“We are scrutinising the complaint. They have named some people who they claim to be behind this. We have to verify everything before making any arrests,” the investigating officers stated. A case under Section 304 has been lodged at the Vikaspuri station.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Sharad Aggarwal said they will be questioning those present at the venue as well as the friends who took Kumar to the wedding. Investigating officers said they were checking the footage from the wedding to see if anyone was carrying a weapon. They said from the bullet it appeared as if the shot was fired from a pistol,or a small gun.

Hemant is survived by wife Neha,son Jatin (15) and daughter Jaya (17).