A 24-year-old man from Ludhiana died after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head while seated in his car in Sector 17 on Saturday evening around 7.
Police recovered a licensed pistol from the Punjab-registered car, which was allegedly owned by the victim’s father. A live cartridge was found in the pistol. The rear window of the car was also found smashed, while a liquor bottle was recovered from inside. The acquaintance subsequently called the friend, who assured him that he was fit to drive.
The victim had gone to a club in Sector 26 with three to four friends, according to police. they stopped near the liquor vend in Sector 17 While returning. While the victim and his friend were in Sector 26, a female friend had contacted their acquaintance and told him that the two were heavily intoxicated and may not be able to drive, according to police sources.
Police said the victim was handling a pistol when it allegedly went off accidentally.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim had come to Chandigarh with his friend who is a resident of Ferozepur. The victim allegedly asked his friend to buy a liquor bottle from the vend, and the gunshot occurred while he was away. Later, the acquaintance contacted the friend again to ask about their location. After initially allegedly giving incorrect locations, he shared his location through his smartphone. Police recorded the statements of the three persons and seized the friend’s mobile phone as part of the investigation. Forensic teams were at the spot till the filing of the report late at night. The victim’s family was also informed.
The two had attended a party at a club in Sector 26 before reaching Sector 17. The acquaintance and another friend then reached Sector 17, where they found the victim injured inside the car.
Police are, however, probing the circumstances leading to the death.
Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Kanwardeep Kaur said that, prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide, but police teams and forensic experts are investigating the matter and have recorded statements of victim’s friends.
