Lucknow: A man, who tried to defuse a dispute at a café in Kaiserbagh in the early hours of Monday, had a narrow escape after an unruly group allegedly opened fire at him, police said. However, one of the bullets struck his friend in the leg.Police have registered a case against eight accused under various sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.According to the FIR lodged at Kaiserbagh police station, complainant Harshit Sonkar (30), a resident of Peer Jalil Khatikana, had gone to Diana Café around 1am.Sonkar alleged that he found café owner Shibu Khan involved in an altercation with Rizwan, Siraj, Lala, Saif, Rishabh, Azhar and Hamza. When he intervened, Rizwan and Siraj allegedly pressed a firearm against his waist and threatened him. They also allegedly hurled caste-based slurs before asking him to leave.The complainant said he left the café with his friends, Anas and Rajat, to refuel their scooter. When they reached Ratan Square near Bapu Bhawan, the accused allegedly intercepted them. They abused them and, following an argument, Rizwan and Siraj allegedly opened fire.Sonkar claimed he escaped by lying on the ground, but one of the bullets struck Anas in the left leg. The accused allegedly fled after passers-by gathered at the spot.The injured man was initially taken to Civil Hospital and later shifted to trauma centre for advanced treatment.
