A senior citizen, who has been fighting for a cause, almost became a victim of an early morning attack on Friday.
Two assailants barged into the Swastik building opposite Oval Maidan in Churchgate at 6.45am and fired a round with a country-made revolver outside Nayana Kathpalia’s first-floor residence.
The 65-year-old co-convenor of the NGO Citispace, who has been fighting for open spaces in the city, escaped unhurt. The police are on the lookout for the attackers.
“The two men entered the building to kill Kathpalia. In the absence of a watchman, one stood near the gate while the other went to her house and opened fire after Kathpalia’s domestic help Soma China, 28, opened the grilled security door. The panicked assailant fled immediately,” said an officer from the Marine Drive police station.
“While an additional bullet was found outside the house, the gun lay abandoned under a tree outside the building. The police have registered a case under section 307 of the IPC and under various sections of the Indian Arms Act.”
The officer said that the dog squad, deployed after the incident, led the police to a restaurant next to the sessions court opposite the Maidan.
No other leads, however, have yet materialised.
While Kathpalia refused to talk to the media, Citispace convenor Neera Punj said, “We have given all the details to the police. It is up to them to provide us with security.”
On the motive behind the murder attempt, assistant commissioner of police Iqbal Shaikh said, “Kathpalia has been fighting for various issues, which are pending with the Bombay high court. However, it is difficult to ascertain the motive for the attempted murder. She did not receive any extortion threats or calls earlier.”
Meanwhile, support has poured in for Kathpalia and other members of the NGO. Many people have urged conscientious citizens to come forward to improve the city and not get cowed down by such threats. This is not the first time that members of Citispace have been targeted.
Three years ago, Punj received threatening calls and there have been stone-pelting instances as well. The NGO has been targeted for its relentless protests against Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme being implemented on open spaces and their opposition to hawkers.
