Celebratory firing: Former MLA detained in Gorakhpur

New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Wednesday detained former Bihar MLA Raju Singh and his driver for allegedly shooting a 45-year-old woman during New Year's Eve in a South Delhi farmhouse. The investigators claimed that the accused tried to flee to Bihar through Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the condition of the victim identified as Archana Gupta remains critical. She was injured after bullet hits her head during celebratory firing in the farmhouse. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Vijay Kumar said," Raju Singh and his driver Hari Singh detained from Kushinagar (UP) and are being brought to Delhi." The victim is an architect by profession.

Sources claimed that after receiving information about the location of the leader, city police contacted UP Police after which Singh and his driver were caught. "We have recovered two rifles, one pistol and 800 live cartridges from different rooms in his farmhouse. An investigation is going on to check whether it is legal or not," said a police officer.

Sources claimed that after being invited by a relative of a former MLA, the victim with her husband went there to celebrate New Year's Eve. Police said Singh absconded soon after the incident. A case under sections 307, 201 and 34 of Indian Penal Code and arms act have been registered against the leader and others.

Police claimed that woman's husband complained in the case alleging that they were in a farmhouse to celebrate New Year along with many other friends. "Around 12 am there were two-three rounds fired by the leader. Immediately the husband noticed that her wife fell and was bleeding profusely," police said. The Police were informed about the incident by officials at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, where she was taken for treatment.

The Fortis Hospital, in a statement on Wednesday, said, "The patient was brought to (the) emergency ward at 00:18 am on January 1 by her attendant in an extremely critical condition." The woman continues to be in a critical state and is currently on life support, it added.