GURGAON: One among many LED lights malfunctioned, angering a groom and his associates so much that one of them shot dead 23-year-old Barkat, the electrician responsible for arrangements at the wedding venue in Pataudi, on Thursday night.Police said the groom, Amandeep, had a heated argument with Barkat when he noticed the lighting imperfection. As the row escalated quickly, Amandeep took out a gun and fired at Barkat but missed, according to the FIR. An alarmed Barkat began running, along with his co-workers, but another bullet — purportedly fired by an aide of Amandeep — hit Barkat from behind.

Harsh (21), who is accused of firing the fatal shot, was taken into custody by police. Harsh claimed during questioning that he had “accidentally fired” a bullet from his uncle’s licensed weapon, which was kept on a table. Father to three children, Barkat was a Mathura resident who would visit Gurgaon twice a year during the wedding season. Police said they received information about the firing at Ransika village late Thursday night, and a team from Pataudi police station reached the spot. Bloodstains were found at the scene, and the crime team was called to collect evidence.A case was registered under sections 103(1) (murder), 351(3) (criminal intimidation), 3(5) (act done by multiple persons) of BNS and under sections of the Arms Act. The FIR names Amandeep and an associate Sahil as accused, but not Harsh, the one arrested.It was filed following a complaint by Hashim Khan, Barkat’s wife’s uncle. According to the FIR, Barkat went to install lights at the event along with Mustafa and Yusuf. The tent arrangement for the ceremony was managed by a local operator, who assigned the lighting work to them. The complaint alleged that the LED light malfunctioned at 9.27 pm, triggering an argument. Amandeep, Sahil — a resident of Basai village — and another unidentified associate allegedly abused and assaulted the three electricians before leaving the venue. According to the complaint, the three then returned shortly after with a weapon.Amandeep, the complaint says, fired at Barkat with an intent to kill him. As the electricians attempted to flee the tent area, another shot was fired, hitting Barkat in the waist. He collapsed at the spot. Barkat was taken to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. His body was shifted to the mortuary for autopsy and later handed over to the family. “Harsh told investigators that his uncle handed him his licensed weapon while getting photographed on the stage during the ceremony. He said he placed the weapon on the table. While picking it up, he claimed to have mistakenly pulled the trigger. The investigation is on,” a police officer said.Barkat’s brother-in-law Arshad told TOI that the family is in shock. “Barkat got married in 2019 and had three kids. Every year, he used to come to Gurgaon during the wedding season. He already lost his parents. The family is ruined,” Arshad said. “We want justice for Barkat. There can be an electrical glitch anytime, anywhere, but they killed him mercilessly without thinking of his family,” his cousin Tahir said.