Gurgaon: A 27-year-old man was shot dead by his friend outside the latter’s house in Berhampur on Wednesday afternoon.Police have registered a case of murder and launched an investigation to ascertain the motive behind the incident. However, the accused’s family and some local residents claimed the two were close friends and were making videos with the weapon when it allegedly discharged accidentally.The victim, Akash, a native of Badarpur in Delhi, had been living with his sister and brother-in-law, Rahul Dedha, in Sector 64 for the past seven years. He worked as a fuel supplier with Rahul.According to police, Akash had gone to the house of his friend Lucky, a property dealer, in his Maruti Swift car. The two were initially sitting inside the parked vehicle outside Lucky’s house. When they stepped out around 3pm, Lucky allegedly fired at Akash, and the bullet struck his right temple.Sources said the accused took Akash to a private hospital in Sector 56, but fled after doctors declared him dead. The body was later shifted to the mortuary. Following the autopsy on Thursday, the body was handed over to the family.Rahul alleged that the shooting was intentional. “It is a case of murder and not an accidental death. Lucky deliberately pulled the trigger. We need justice for our brother and will fight for it. They had been friends for a long time, and we had never heard of any dispute between them earlier. But something definitely happened that prompted Lucky to kill him,” he said.An investigator said police are examining all possible angles. “The licensed weapon belongs to Lucky’s father, who is also a property dealer. We are examining the claim that the shooting was accidental. However, since the victim’s family have accused Lucky of intentionally shooting Akash, a murder case has been registered,” the officer said.Police said Akash and Lucky were close friends and were frequently seen together. They had spent time together a day before the incident and regularly visited each other’s homes.After receiving information through the police control room, teams from Sector 65 police station, forensic unit and crime branch reached the spot. Following a complaint by Akash’s elder brother, a case was registered under Section 103(1) (murder) of BNS and provisions of Arms Act against the accused.“Crime branch teams, along with a team from Sector 65 police station, are conducting raids at the accused’s possible hideouts. He will be arrested soon,” a senior police officer said.
