Umar Khalid says accused fired in the air: Delhi Police

According to police officials, Umar Khalid has said that the accused tried to fire at him but ended up firing in the air.

New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid had a narrow escape when a shot was fired in the air by an unidentified man at the Constitution Club near Parliament in Delhi on Monday. Police officials later claimed that Khalid, in his statement, said that the accused had first pounced on him, then pushed him before firing in the air.

Khalid was at the Constitution Club to attend an event titled 'Khauff Se Azaadi', organised by an organisation named 'United Against Hate'. Scenes of absolute chaos erupted when a man tried to shoot him. Delhi Police DCP Madhur Verma said that his team is verifying the sequence of events. "Umar Khalid said that he was attacked. Somebody pounced on him and pushed, thereafter he tried to fire at Khalid but couldn't," he said. "According to Khalid the attacker fired in the air and was chased by people."

Witnesses claimed that two shots were fired when Khalid was at the entrance of the club.

Police have seized the weapon which was dropped by the accused in a bid to flee. Further investigations are being carried out.