In a shocking incident near the national capital of Delhi, a 17-year-old girl was shot twice by a stalker in Ballabhgarh, Haryana’s Faridabad district — just 40 km from Delhi. The minor, who sustained bullet injuries to her shoulder and abdomen, is currently hospitalised and under medical observation.
Police have identified the accused as Jatin Mangla, who allegedly opened fire on the teenager after she rejected his advances. A massive manhunt is underway to trace the shooter.
CCTV footage from Shyam Colony shows the attacker waiting near a narrow alley on a motorcycle, clutching a bag. Moments later, as the girl appears with two friends, the man crosses the lane and fires two shots at close range.
One bullet struck her on the shoulder, while the other grazed her abdomen. The attacker then fled on his bike, leaving the girl writhing in pain as her friends screamed for help.
The visuals have since gone viral, triggering widespread outrage over rising cases of stalking and violence against women in Haryana.
Police Recover Weapon, Launch Manhunt
Faridabad Police confirmed that the weapon used in the attack has been recovered and that the accused is known to the victim.
“Preliminary inquiry reveals the accused is known to the victim. She has recognised him. An FIR has been registered, and both police and the crime branch are conducting raids to arrest him,” said a police spokesperson.
Officials have deployed multiple teams to trace Jatin Mangla, who remains absconding.
The victim’s sister said the 17-year-old was returning from a coaching class when the incident occurred.
“He was waiting for her. You can see it in the CCTV footage. As soon as she appeared, he fired,” her sister told reporters.
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According to her, the accused had been stalking the teenager for several days, and the family had even confronted him earlier.
“We spoke to his family, and his mother pleaded with us not to file a complaint. We believed them. The next day, this happened. What kind of country are we living in?” she said in anguish.
The sister revealed that Jatin had aimed for the girl’s heart, but she instinctively raised her hand, and the bullet went through her palm before hitting her shoulder.
Why the Family Didn’t File a Complaint
When asked why the family didn’t register a formal police complaint earlier, the sister admitted they had been trying to avoid conflict.
“We should have gone to the police, but his family begged us not to. We didn’t imagine he would do something like this,” she said.
The incident has reignited debates around women’s safety in Haryana and Delhi NCR, especially given the recent rise in stalking and shooting cases. Social media users have called for stricter anti-stalking laws and faster police response.
Police have promised a swift investigation, while women’s rights activists have demanded that the case be tried under sections related to attempt to murder and POCSO.
