Fatal stunt or tragic misfire? Delhi man shoots himself as cousin films

A 28-year-old man died after allegedly shooting himself in the chest while being filmed by his cousin in east Delhi’s Dallupura, in an incident that has raised questions over whether it was a reckless stunt or a tragic misfire .

The incident came to light on March 16 when the New Ashok Nagar police station received information from Dharamshila Hospital in Vasundhara Enclave about a medico-legal case involving a gunshot injury. Police found Pawan Kumar, a resident of Dallupura village, admitted in an unconscious state with a gunshot wound to the left side of his chest. He was declared dead during treatment.

Investigators said the episode was captured on video, which has since circulated widely on social media. The footage shows Kumar handling a licensed pistol , inserting a magazine and loading the weapon while facing the camera. His cousin Himanshu, who was recording the video, can be heard cautioning him against firing the gun.

Despite the warnings, Kumar places the pistol against his chest, briefly looks towards the camera and pulls the trigger, collapsing instantly. The cousin is heard reacting in shock as the recording ends, capturing the fatal moment on camera .

Police suspect the video may have been intended for social media, though the exact motive remains unclear. Preliminary inquiry revealed that the pistol belonged to Himanshu.

The weapon, along with 10 live cartridges , has been seized, and the mobile phone used to record the video has been taken into custody. Crime and forensic teams have examined the scene and collected evidence.

The body has been shifted to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital for post-mortem examination. Police have registered a case under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant provisions of the Arms Act.

Further investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances leading to the fatal shooting.