New Delhi: A property dealer was shot dead in a DDA park in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar on Friday. Police are investigating multiple angles into the murder of 55-year-old Lakhpat Singh Kataria, including a possible property dispute and extortion. His family told police that he had opposed the illegal occupation of a piece of land near his house. Kataria, a resident of Begumpur, was also associated with a political party, police officials said. Police got a PCR call around 9.53 am that reported gunshots at Vijay Mandal Park. The police station team that went to the scene and found Kataria with gunshot wounds in the chest and head. He was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to injuries. A preliminary investigation has revealed that two men had approached Kataria, opened fire and fled on a motorcycle. Kataria’s relative Prem Singh said the property dealer used to go to the park regularly. He said that Kataria had an argument a day earlier with some people from a nearby cluster, near Indira Camp, over a parcel of land. CP Soni, another relative and a national coordinator of a Congress unit, said Kataria was first beaten with sticks by a group of five to six men. He was later shot dead. “Outside his house was a piece of govt land that some anti-social elements were trying to encroach upon. Kataria had opposed them and written to the authorities. A wall was constructed in response, but it was later demolished. He had reported the incident to the SHO and submitted photographs,” Soni said. He added that at the time of the assault, several people were in the park, but no one intervened. Kataria reportedly lay injured for around 15 minutes before an acquaintance rushed to inform his family. A senior police officer said a case of murder has been registered. Police teams are scanning CCTV footage of the area to trace the route taken by the suspects while fleeing. Investigators also believe that the assailants may have conducted a recce and were waiting for the right moment to strike. Sources said two to three people have been detained for questioning.
