It was high drama at high noon on Poonamallee High Road in Maduravoyal on Thursday.
A 22-year-old B.Tech student brandished a country-made hand gun and tried to open fire at two of his classmates in full view of the public. When the weapon failed to work, he used the butt of the gun to inflict injuries on their heads.
The incident unfolded around 12.30 p.m. opposite MGR Engineering College in Maduravoyal where the attacker Adithya Kashyap and victims Hemanthi Das (21) and Manish Kumar (22) pursue B.Tech in computer science.
According to the police, Adithya, a native of Muzaffarpur in Bihar, had been in a relationship with Hemanthi for four years during which period, they also lived together. The duo parted ways recently and Adithya moved to a friend’s place.
Adithya’s laptop and mobile phone, however, remained in Hemanthi’s possession while her passport and some other documents were left with Adithya.
On Thursday, they decided to meet outside college and return each other’s possessions. Hemanthi’s friend Manish Kumar accompanied her.
“During their meeting, Adithya and Hemanthi ended up having an argument. Angered, Adithya pulled out a country-made weapon and aimed it at the girl. When it did not go off, he hit Hemanthi on the head with the butt of the gun. When Manish Kumar tried to help her, Adithya attacked him too,” said an investigating officer.
Soon, the melee attracted attention and when a passerby tried to intervene, Adithya threatened him with the gun. A traffic police constable, who was on duty nearby, reached the spot and managed to pin down Adithya with the help of some bystanders, the officer said.
Adithya was handed over to the Maduravoyal police and his country-made gun with three bullets was seized. Hemanthi and Manish who suffered head injuries were taken to a private hospital. They were reported to be out of danger.
A case was booked against Adithya under Section 307 of IPC for attempt to murder and under the Arms Act of 1959 for possession of an illegal weapon. He was remanded to custody and sent to Puzhal prison.
The police suspect Adithya may have illegally obtained the country gun from Bihar. Further investigation is on.
