New Delhi: A 26-year-old television journalist was shot dead in the Capital early on Tuesday mo
rning.
Soumya Viswanathan was an employee of TV Today Network’s English news channel Headlines Today. Prior to joining Headlines Today, Soumya also worked with CNN-IBN.
She had stayed back in office on Monday night to bring you coverage of the blasts in Malegaon and Modasa. The incident occurred when she was driving from her Jhandewalan office to her Vasant Kunj residence at around 0330 hrs (IST).
Police say she was shot dead while on her way home. Her car was found rammed into the divider on Nelson Mandela road. Her body was still in the driver's seat and there was a bullet in her head. There were signs of a struggle in the car and one tyre was punctured from which a bullet was recovered.
The police rushed her to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences but doctors declared her brought dead.
Soumya last spoke to her father at 3:15 am, saying she'll reach home shortly.
Police have registered a case of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, but the motive for the killing has not yet been established.
"We received a call at about 3:55 am regarding a road accident. They responded by removing the injured to the hospital and this lady was subsequently declared as brought dead. During a post-mortem, it was revealed that a bullet was lodged in her skull. We registered a case of murder. At the moment preliminary investigation is in progress, we have called the experts to examine the scene of crime and the car. Further action will be taken as the investigations progress, it is not very clear if the second bullet was fired or not. But this is a very serious case and we are putting our best efforts forward," Joint Commissioner Southern Range, Delhi, Ajay Kashyap said.
Soumya's death raises questions about security of women in the Capital, specially those working in night shifts. But the Delhi Police was quick to say that women should themselves exercise precaution.
Ajay Kashyap said, "We advocate women should take busy, well-lit routes and drive with companions."
Working women have and will always be on their guard, but it's time for the police to make Delhi a safer place for professionals, by day and by night.
