Delhi MLA Bharat Singh shot at, battles for life

Independent member of Legislative Assembly Bharat Singh was shot at on Saturday morning in southwest Delhi by "four-five" unknown attackers with police suspecting it to be a case of personal rivalry.

A passerby Dharampal was also injured in the incident, which took place near the MLA's office in Najafgarh's Sarangpur village at around 8:30 am, a senior police official said.

According to the official, four to five people came and opened fire at Singh, the 35-year-old MLA from Najafgarh, who suffered a bullet injury.

Dharampal, a villager who was passing through the area also, was caught in the firing and got injured. Both were rushed to the hospital to Charan Devi Hospital. Police sources said Singh is being operated upon.

Half a dozen people were at the MLA's office in the morning when the attackers came, they said, adding his supporters tried to save him. The attackers chased him and shot at him inside the office, they said. "We are investigating the matter. No arrests have been made," the official said.

Singh is the brother of Municipal Corporation of Delhi councillor Krishan Pahalwan against whom there are several criminal cases.

Singh used to come to the office in the morning and hold discussions with his close aides before heading out for other works.

Reacting to the incident, Delhi Leader of Opposition V K Malhotra alleged that the capital was becoming a crime capital. "Singh is a powerful person in his area. If somebody comes in his area and shoots him, it shows that the crime scene in the capital has deteriorated," he said.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit discussed the security scenario in the capital with City Police Commissioner B K Gupta after the attack on Singh and demanded from Congress legislators for enhanced personal security.

The meeting was held on the direction of Speaker Yoganand Shastri after MLAs demand police protection citing increased "threat perception" while having to deal with difficult situations in public interest.

On Friday in the Delhi Assembly, an extortion call to MLA Jaswant Rana's son had prompted other legislators to seek enhanced protection.

The strong demand by the legislators came after senior MLA Jaswant Rana said in the assembly that his son received a call last week from an unknown person demanding Rs 50 lakh.

Following Rana's demand for adequate security, a number of Congress MLAs also joined him in seeking police protection in the wake of "increased threat perception" and to carry out developmental works "fearlessly".