A 26-year-old gym trainer in Delhi was shot in the head by Shahnawaz who was upset about his sister marrying Deva Chand, a Hindu man.

While Chand is critical, Shahnawaz (21) and his friend have been apprehended. Police said they were trying to flee Delhi and were caught within six hours of the crime. A case of murder attempt has been registered against them.

Police said that their families were opposed to the couple’s interfaith marriage and the woman’s brother had allegedly developed animosity towards Deva.

“Prima facie, it appears that Shahnawaz planned the killing and involved his friend in it. The exact sequence of events leading to the attempted killing and other people’s roles are being ascertained,” said a senior police officer, who did not want to be named.

Deputy commissioner of police (north-west) Usha Rangnani said that around midnight, constable Santosh Kapoor of Model Town police station alerted the station house officer (SHO) that a man with gunshot injury was bleeding on the road near Shalimar Park in Model Town. The injured was then shifted to a nearby hospital where his condition was reported to be serious, following which, a case of attempt to murder and firing was registered and several teams, including that of the special staff, were tasked to crack it, she said.

During the investigation, DCP Rangnani said it was revealed that Deva was riding a motorcycle along with two pillion riders, who reportedly shot him with a countrymade pistol near Shalimar Park and fled. The police then made sure that the suspects were caught within six hours. The details of the operation have not been revealed yet.

“The alleged accused Shahnawaz is the brother of Deva’s wife and is his friend. Both have confessed to the crime. Their further interrogation is on,” added the DCP.