Transgender activist, aide shot at in South Delhi

A 50-year-old transgender activist, who has also been an anti-corruption crusader, and the activist’s domestic help were allegedly shot at by an unidentified man and his transgender accomplice at the activist’s residence in south Delhi’s Sangam Vihar colony, police said on Friday.

The activist, identified as Pinki, was watching television on April 28 morning, when a man accompanied by another transgender, whom the activist identified as one Neelu, forced inside the house and started abusing the former at gunpoint. 

Pinki’s domestic help, Gangesh Kumar, who was making tea in the kitchen rushed to the living room on hearing screams, said a police official.

Meanwhile, the unidentified man fired a shot but Pinki quickly ducked and ran to the bathroom within seconds. He soon fired another round and this time the bullet hit Gangesh on his shoulder. After that, they fled the scene. 

Pinki called up the Police Control Room and reported the matter. Gangesh was rushed to Saket City Hospital, from where he was later discharged after a surgery. 

A case was registered under Sections 120B (Criminal Conspiracy), 307 (Attempt to muder), 452 (House tresspass) of IPC and other relevant sections of Arms Act at south Delhi’s Neb Sarai Police Station, said the official. Pinki told the police that the accused transgender, Neelu, worked under Pinki at one point of time. 

Neelu was one of the transgenders in Pinki’s group who used to visit homes where male children were born and asked for offerings. Lately, Neelu had formed a different group and allegedly wanted a share of Pinki’s area of operation. 

Neelu had allegedly threatened Pinki earlier over the same issue. The activist also alleged that Neelu must have hired the unidentified man to execute the alleged plan, said Gangesh. Both the accused are absconding and a hunt is on to nab them. Investigation of the case is underway, the cop said.