Body of a 37-year-old man was found inside a black SUV, a pistol lying near him, in Southeast Delhi’s New Friends Colony on Monday evening. The police are trying to ascertain if it’s a case of murder or suicide.
The deceased, identified as Mohd Afzal, a resident of Okhla’s Zakir Nagar, had a bullet wound near his chest and the gun was resting partly on his thigh and partly on the seat, said the police. “Prima facie it looks like a case of suicide, but nothing can be confirmed till the post-mortem report is received,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East) Romil Baaniya, adding that the body has been sent to AIIMS for examination.
‘Car belonged to friend’
Afzal’s family, however, alleged that he had been murdered. They questioned the position of the gun and the wound on the body. “The way he was found (gun lying on Afzal’s left thigh), it doesn’t look like he committed suicide,” said his brother-in-law Shakir Khan. The car did not belong to Afzal. “It was his friend’s car. The number plate is of Haryana,” said Mr.Khan. The car was spotted by a PCR van near Holy Family hospital around 4.30 p.m.
Mr. Khan said Afzal, who ran a fast food joint near Tikona Park in Jamia Nagar till two months ago, was looking for work. “His shop was broken by the authorities two months ago because of the work being done for Delhi Metro. He was looking for another place to set shop,” he said.
Mr.Baaniya said the family told him Afzal hadn’t been home since Sunday evening and they were looking for him. The police were also informed that the victim was under a lot of debt and was struggling to pay it.
Family doubts suicide
“Ups and downs are a part of business. Yes, he was under debt, but I doubt he committed suicide because of that,” said Mr.Khan.
“A forensic team is inspecting the site. As of now, a case has been registered under Section 174 of CrPC. Other sections will be added depending on the result of the reports,” said Mr Baaniya. Afzal is survived by his wife and two children.
