Doctor shot dead over property

The sole breadwinner was also in debt

A 61-year-old doctor was shot dead at his under-renovation clinic in south Delhi’s Palam on Friday. Balwant Singh succumbed to injuries after being hit on his neck, police said.

Singh held a Bachelor’s degree in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery. His family members told police that he was involved in a dispute with his brothers over ancestral property’s division.

Singh, who was the sole breadwinner for the family, was also in debt. He had taken loans for the marriage of his two daughters and for his clinic’s renovation.

Singh was living with his wife and son. His son is unemployed due to which his daughter-in-law had also left the family and filed a dowry case.

According to police, the attack was carried out when Singh was about to return home after the labourers left at 10 pm.

“A man approached Singh and opened fire. He was shot in his neck,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (South West) Surender Kumar.

Balwant’s nephew told police that they had heard a noise and thought that someone had burst a cracker. “Then we heard cries for help as Balwant uncle started shouting that he had been shot. We went inside the clinic and saw blood in the entire room,” he said.
Singh was taken to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

After initial probe, police suspect that the murder may be a result of personal enmity. “Singh was under a lot of financial trouble. He had taken loan from several people and was not able to pay back,” another police officer added.

Singh had not even paid the rent for his clinic.

A case of murder under Indian Penal Code and Arms Act has been filed with Palam Village police station. The investigators have questioned Singh’s brothers, and denied property dispute as the reason behind the murder. The attacker is yet to be identified.