An unidentified man, wielding a gun, attacked Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid outside the Constitution Club of India in Delhi on Monday afternoon. Mr. Khalid, who was to address an event at the Club, escaped unhurt.

The police recovered a pistol, with six live bullets, that the assailant dropped while fleeing the spot. Several eyewitnesses reported having heard a gunshot as the attacker ran away.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Khalid said, “I had just finished drinking tea from a stall adjacent to the Constitution Club and was heading inside when a man, who was armed, attacked me from behind. I reacted in self-defence and two of my friends helped me overpower my attacker who then fled.”

The Delhi police have registered a case under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC and Arms Act at Parliament Street police station.

Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Ajay Chaudhary confirmed that Mr. Khalid had been was attacked at a tea stall outside the Club at 2.30 p.m. when he arrived to attend an event organised by ‘United Against Hate’. He added that investigations were underway into the attack.

The pistol which was used to shoot Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid in New Delhi on August 13, 2018. | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

Police also said no bullet had been fired at Mr. Khalid and that the pistol fell on the ground when attacker was fleeing after hitting the JNU student.

The pistol has been send to FSL to confirm if a bullet was fired from it.

Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Ajay Chaudhary confirmed that Mr. Khalid had been was attacked at a tea stall outside the Club at 2.30 p.m. when he arrived to attend an event organised by 'United Against Hate'.

“We have recovered CCTV footage in which the attacker was seen fleeing. Several police teams are working in the case, the attacker will be arrested soon,” said Mr. Chaudhary.

Police also said no bullet had been fired at Mr. Khalid and that the pistol fell on the ground when attacker was fleeing after hitting the JNU student. Mr Chaudhary said the pistol has been send to FSL to confirm if a bullet was fired from it.

Madhur Verma, Delhi police PRO confirmed that it was a predetermined attack on Mr. Khalid. “It will be early to establish that the attacker was a part of any group or it was an individual act. The attacker will be arrested soon,” Mr Verma said.

Umar Khalid at Constitution Club in New Delhi on Monday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Eyewitnesses corroborated Mr. Khalid’s statement and said as the assailant was fleeing, his pistol fell with a loud sound on impact.

Ashishi Pandey, and eyewitness who works in government office in the vicinity, said, “I saw a man who was holding a gun attack Mr. Khalid but he fled the scene after a short scuffle as two other men came to Mr. Khalid’s rescue. The man did not shoot at Mr. Khalid but I heard a gunshot when the weapon fell on the road.”

Mr. Khalid later submitted a written complaint to the Parliament Street police station.

Speaking about the incident, he said, “It’s ironic that it happened as I have come to participate in an event titled ‘Khauff Se Azaadi’ (Freedom from Fear). There is an atmosphere of fear. If you speak against the government you will be branded and then anything could happen to you.”