A 14-year-old boy, who had taken up work to support his family after his father was paralysed, was shot dead by a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer at a wedding procession in East Delhi's Shahdara. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday night, leading to the arrest of the accused officer on Monday, December 2, 2025.
A Celebration Turns into a Nightmare
Fourteen-year-old Saahil was returning home after completing his daily shift at a local grocery store when he encountered a wedding procession heading to a community centre. Drawn by the festivities, he joined some neighbourhood friends who were already watching the celebrations. As the groom proceeded, some guests began throwing currency notes into the air. Saahil and his friends scrambled to pick up a few notes from the ground.
This seemingly innocent act triggered a fatal confrontation. According to his brother-in-law, Tabrez Alam, a man from the wedding party grabbed Saahil by his collar. "Some of the boys got scared and ran back home and Saahil got left behind," Alam stated. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the boy being slapped multiple times. When Saahil reportedly asked the man what his fault was, the altercation escalated violently.
The Fatal Shot and Immediate Aftermath
The accused, identified as the groom's paternal cousin and a CISF officer, allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Saahil in the head. Within minutes, locals rushed to inform the boy's family. He was taken to Hedgewar Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Police took the accused into custody for questioning on Sunday. A senior officer involved in the investigation revealed, "Following the questioning, we understood that he had some mental health issues…he had trouble keeping his anger at bay." The officer was formally arrested on Monday for the killing.
A Family's Grief and a Life of Hardship
The incident has devastated Saahil's family, who were already struggling with adversity. His father, Sirajuddin Ansari, explained that he suffered a paralytic attack a few months ago, which left his left arm paralysed. "I worked in a gas cylinder warehouse but after this I could not work as much anymore. So Saahil was taken out from school and put to work," Ansari said.
Saahil worked an 11-hour shift every day at a local grocery store, earning Rs 6,000 per month to help support his parents and five siblings. His mother, Nisha, mourned her son, stating his only mistake was trying to ease the family's burdens. "He was coming home after work… he was just lured by the currency notes and the celebrations," she said. The family later discovered the notes he collected were fake.
"He would tell us that he would grow up and give us a better life. He began working at such a young age because he saw how his father was suffering," Nisha added, painting a picture of a responsible child forced into adulthood too soon.
The case highlights a shocking abuse of power and a profound family tragedy, raising serious questions about conduct and mental health assessments within security forces.
