At least 10 rounds fired over banquet hall lease dispute in Delhi, 1 injured

At least 10 rounds were fired during a violent dispute over the lease ownership of Shivam Banquet Hall in East Delhi's Madhu Vihar area late on Thursday, leaving one person injured after a bullet grazed the person's leg, police said.

The firing triggered panic in the locality as the dispute over possession of the banquet hall turned violent.

Rehan, an eyewitness, alleged that the attack was part of a pre-planned conspiracy targeting the owners of the establishment.

"They came here with forged documents, claiming that they are going to take possession and that this belongs to them. They have been harassing us for over six months," Rehan told ANI.

He said the group had attempted a similar disruption a month ago.

"We even went to the police station back then, and the matter was resolved. But today, a month later, they returned. They had previously occupied the premises and parked their vehicles here; about 40-45 of their men stood outside all day," he said.

According to Rehan, the family had filed a complaint with the police after the earlier incident.

"We filed a complaint at the police station, and the matter was settled there. But then they suddenly returned, locked the gate, and opened fire," he alleged.

Rehan claimed that the firing was a targeted attack.

"At least 10 to 15 rounds were fired; there was a deliberate attempt to kill someone. There is a whole conspiracy to kill Suhail Chaudhary, the younger brother of the owner, Raja Chaudhary. This banquet hall belongs to us, though there are other owners too," he said.

He further alleged that one of the bullets narrowly missed another member of the family.

"A bullet grazed our mother; it just brushed past her. All their men fled after the incident," he said.

Tamannah, the wife of the banquet hall owner, said her husband had been running the banquet hall for the past 12 years and alleged that another group was attempting to take possession of the property.

"My husband has been running our banquet here for 12 years. But now, all of a sudden, they are trying to take possession. We showed our documents, and they turned out to be valid, but they said that if we don't hand it over, they will take it by fraud," she told ANI.

She alleged that the group threatened and intimidated the family.

"They forced us out and threatened us, saying, 'If you break the lock, I'll break your arm.' I told my brother-in-law not to say anything," she said.

Describing the incident, Tamannah said, "At least 10 or 15 rounds were fired. A bullet grazed my mother-in-law's leg; it just grazed past. They also hurled abuses at us."

Police said one person sustained injuries after a bullet grazed the person's leg during the firing.