New Delhi, Mar 8 : A second year degree student was shot dead by an unidentified person, probably a stalker, near her college in south Delhi this morning, police said.
Radhika Tanwar was attacked by an unidentified man near a foot-over-bridge outside Ramlal Anand College in Dhaula Kuan's Shantiniketan area at around 10:20 am, a senior official said. The victim resided in Naraina area.
"A man attacked her from behind. He pumped bullets into her. He fled the scene soon after the incident. Passersby took the girl in an autorickshaw to Ram Manohar Lohia hospital where she was declared brought dead," the official said.
The incident came on a day when the city was celebrating the International Women's Day.The motive behind the incident is being investigated,a senior police official said, adding that they suspect the hand of a "jilted lover" in the murder. DCP South Delhi H G S Dhaliwal said, the girl was being stalked by a man for the last several days.
"We are investigating all angles. It could be a case of a jilted lover committing the murder. But we cannot say anything now as the investigations are at the initial stages,"the official said.
Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit condemned the incident and said that women were not safe in the capital. Congress MP Mahabal Mishra alleged thatthe Delhi Police has failed to provide security to women in the capital. He demanded that the Home Minister should summon the Delhi Police Commissioner and seek a report from him.
Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath has called for a report on the incident from Delhi Police.
Angry over the murder, a large number of students in Delhi University south campus staged a protest demonstration against the lack of security for students and blocked the Ring Road. Some locals also joined the protest.
"A man came from behind and opened fire at her. A bullet hit her stomach. The attacker managed to flee the scene soon after the incident," a senior police official said.
Passersby took the girl in an autorickshaw to Safdurjung hospital where she was declared brought dead, the official said.
The incident evoked strong reactions from MPs, including RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, who condemned the incident.
NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas and CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat termed the incident as "very sad" and wondered why such incidents were recurring. "I condemn the incident. Why such incidents are recurring?" Vyas said.
Karat said, "it is a very sad incident. The incident took place when we are talking about women empowerment and celebrating the Women's Day."
The girl's family said she left home for college at around 9 am. "She never told us that she was facing problems from somebody. We don't know anything and we don't suspect anybody as of now," Vipin, girl's brother, said.
Radhika's father Rajender Singh said "I have no clue what's happening. I don't know who could have done this to my daughter. She had no enmity with anyone." PTI
