Special Cell takes over Umar Khalid attack probe

NEW DELHI: The Special Cell of Delhi Police Cell on Tuesday took over the investigation into the attack on JNU student leader Umar Khalid, who escaped unhurt on Monday in an assassination bid when he attacked by a gunman outside the Constitution Club.

The culprit's shot missed Khalid from a near, and intervention by Khalid's friends forced the gunman to flee and later fire another shot from across the road.

CCTV footage has been collected by police and movements of the accused are being carefully studied. He left the pistol behind before fleeing, which has been sent for forensic examination.

Police said they are yet to ascertain whether shots were fired as no empty cartridges were found on the spot.

However, Umar's friend, who was present at the spot during the assassination bid, said he saw the culprit firing from the other side of the road.

"We have several leads and will soon crack the case, and have registered an attempt to murder case. A case under Arms Act has also been registered," Delhi Police PRO Madhur Verma said.

The incident has raised questions over the security cover in Lutyens' Delhi, which took place just two days before the Independence Day, with the police saying they were not 'intimated' about the event which Khalid participated.

Khalid came to participate in an event 'Khauf se Azaadi', which was attended by Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, Dr Kafeel Khan, missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed's mother Fatima Nafees and several families of lynch mob victims.

Eyewitness, mostly tea vendors, said they definitely heard a shot fired. "The real culprits are those who from their seats of power have been breeding an atmosphere of hatred and fear," Khalid had said.