The Delhi police killed a 19-year-old Karan Pandey performing a biking stunt at the high security Parliament Street and Janpath areas of the Capital, injured another injured, while attempting to stop a group of over a hundred motorcyclists from performing stunts in the early hours of Sunday. The injured has been identified as Puneet Sharma. 

 

According to the police, at 2:07 am, a police control room (PCR) vehicle patrolling the area saw the group, on about 35-40 motorcycles, performing stunts near the Gole Dak Khana area. The police followed them till the Le Meridien roundabout. 

The night checking officer of the PCR unit was reportedly passing through the area. The officer, Inspector Rajnish Parmar, was with his gunner, Sudarshan Singh, and driver, Amar Singh. 

 

Parmar asked the boys to disperse but the youth reportedly began pelting stones and damaged the PCR van. Parmar then reportedly made another announcement, and also fired in the air with his service revolver. While some motorcyclists dispersed, the remaining continued to perform stunts, said the police. 

 

"The police control room was informed that about 150-odd motorcyclists had begun pelting stones at the police vehicle. While some motorcyclists dispersed, the remaining, including Karan and Puneet, continued to perform stunts. The Inspector fired a shot in an attempt to deflate the tyre of the motorcycle. But Puneet performed a 'wheelie' (riding on one wheel) because of which Karan, the pillion rider, came in the range of the bullet that was fired. The bullet hit him in the back, and grazed past Puneet's waist on the left side," said Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat. 

 

According to the police, even after being shot, Puneet continued riding his motorcycle. The police chased him and intercepted the motorcycle at the Gole Dak Khana roundabout. The two were rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia hospital, where Karan succumbed to his injuries.  "The whole incident leading to the death of the youth will be subject to a magisterial inquiry. We have informed the NHRC and if they wish to conduct an inquiry, they can do so," said Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar. 

 

Karan, an only child and a Class XI dropout, lived with his mother, Manju, in Khirki Extension, Malviya Nagar. His parents are divorced, and his mother depends on house rent for her monthly income. 

 

Puneet, who completed his Class XII from Agra, works in a candle-making unit. The motorcycle, a Bajaj Discover, is registered in the name of his father H P Sharma. Puneet got his driving licence last month.  "Puneet later tested positive for alcohol in his blood during a medical examination," said DCP (New Delhi) SBS Tyagi. 

 

Police sources said a passer-by had made a PCR call at 1:56 am, informing that motorcyclists were performing stunts in the area.  The police had set up about 42 pickets in the entire New Delhi district area last night after a special drive to crack down on motorcyclists performing stunts. Police said some motorcyclists were stopped, but they all happened to have their documents in place