Confusion continued to prevail on Saturday, a day after former Andhra Pradesh Minister Mukesh Goud's son Vikram Goud was injured in mysterious shooting incident at his residence in Hyderabad.
According to the police, Vikram's statements were contradictory to that of his wife, and his claims did not add up, when the police tried to recreate the crime scene.
The Youth Congress leader was with his wife Shifali at their house in Film Nagar, between 3 am and 4 am, when the incident occurred. Two bullets hit his hand while another bullet hit the stomach.
While he initially remained mum, reports suggest that he has recorded his statement with the police.
The Times of India reported that he claimed that two masked men, including one wearing a helmet, who were conversing in Hindi, fired at him and escaped.
Quoting sources, the TOI report adds that the statement reads, “The man wearing a helmet opened fire at me, while the other person was standing at a distance. First, I was hit on my hand. As I was about to fall, I turned and immediately another bullet struck me, which hit my other hand. Later, they both got on a bike, which I think is a black Pulsar and fled the location."
However, police have not bought the claims, as they did not find any weapon at the scene. CCTV images and other forensic evidence also did not strengthen Vikram's claims.
The Youth Congress leader was facing financial problems, triggering speculations that he attempted suicide.
Shifali told the police that they were leaving for a 'dargah' where they were to feed the poor and he had first gone downstairs when she heard the gunshots.
Amid speculation that the story did not add up, she addressed media persons on Tuesday, and asked them not to float any 'baseless theories' about what had happened.
Narrating her version of the incident, she said:
“I and my husband had decided to conduct an Annadanam at the Hakim Baba dargah near my house for poor people. We got up early at around 2.30 am for this purpose and were getting ready to go to the dargah. After he got ready he went down to the hall and asked me to come down. While I was getting ready in the room I heard a loud noise twice. I also heard my husband crying for help calling my name. I soon ran down to see what happened and saw him bleeding. I called 108 ambulance service for help. But there was no response from them. So I personally took him to hospital in our vehicle.”
However, investigators remain wary of both the statements, made by the husband and wife.
“Their statements seem to be quite contradicting. There is no proof that a third person entered the house. Investigations carried out so far indicate a suicide bid. However, all angles are being probed. Against their claims, we have sufficient scientific evidence to prove they were self-inflicting wounds. But we are working to get more concrete evidence to prove that beyond doubt,” an investigating official told Telangana Today.
Meanwhile, doctors at Apollo Hospital said that Vikram's condition was completely stable and he was being monitored.
Vikram's father was a Minister in the cabinets of Congress governments of YS Rajasekhara Reddy and Kiran Kumar Reddy.
IANS inputs