The family was on its way back in their car from Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in Connaught Place. Around 4.45 am, they reached Bhalswa flyover, near Rohini jail, when unknown assailants blocked their way and one of them shot at the car, Hindustan Times reported.

Initial reports suggested that the family was attacked because the husband, Pankaj, owed Rs 40 lakh to a money lender. In his statement to the police, the victim’s husband claimed that one of the assailants got out of their car and got into a scuffle with Pankaj, following which two shots were fired that hit Priya in the face, The Indian Express reported.

While Pankaj and the couple’s two-year-old son escaped without any severe injuries, Priya ensured that her son was pushed to safety under the car seat. According to Pankaj, the pistol of the assailants jammed after the first two shots, after which they fled.

Police probe reveals husband faked attack

Turns out that the husband, a restaurateur by profession with two failed businesses, lied about the attack. During the interrogation on Thursday, Pankaj revealed that he had faked the attack and had shot his wife. 

Deputy commissioner of police Milind Dumbere told Hindustan Times, “Pankaj’s interrogation overnight has revealed that it was all his own work. He shot dead his wife and tried to blame the money lender for it. There was no second car. Pankaj thought he could blame the money lender who would be arrested and he wouldn’t have to return the Rs 40 lakh.”

Further investigations revealed that Pankaj was allegedly also married to someone else and was therefore not getting along with his wife. Family sources claimed that the couple had a troubled marriage and were together only for the sake of their son. 

Police arrested Pankaj and is probing the case. More details are awaited by Thursday afternoon.

This copy will be updated once the police reveals more information

Feature image source: HT/Twitter