PTI
 
New Delhi, Nov 29: The 21-year-old son of a city-based builder was shot dead apparently in an accidental firing involving his friends at a posh market in south-west Delhi.

Varun, son of builder Surekh Malik, fell prey to a bullet when he and three of his friends were inspecting a gun which accidentally went off at a market near his residence at Vasant Kunj on Wednesday November 28 night, a senior police official said on Thursday.

A student of Gurgaon Dhronacharya Engineering College, Varun had gone to the B-10 market along with his two friends - Sachin and Nitin - to meet their common friend Moti.

During questioning, Sachin and Nitin told the police that the mishap occurred when they were inspecting the gun which Moti was carrying.

A bullet went off the gun which hit Varun's chest, the official said, adding he was rushed to Fortis hospital by Sachin and Nitin, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Hospital authorities later informed the police about the incident.

A hunt is on to nab Moti who fled from the scene soon after the incident. Police are also trying to ascertain whether the weapon was a licensed one.

The police official said that they were not ruling out foul play for the time being, adding a breakthrough would be made in the probe only after nabbing Moti.

When asked whether they suspect Sachin and Nitin who reported the matter to the police late, the official said they were keeping all routes open "but prima facie, it appears that the duo panicked and forgot to inform police".