Delhi Police bust extortion gang; arrest three after brief encounter

In a joint operation, the Shahdara Police and its Special Staff on Thursday busted an extortion gang involved in firing at a businessman’s residence and arrested three accused following an encounter, an official said.

According to the official, the three accused were identified as Zaheer alias Asif alias Guddu, Farukh, and Salman alias Laddan.

Advertisement

“The case came to light after Kunal Arora, a resident of Shri Ram Colony in Bhola Nath Nagar, reported that on November 2, two men opened fire outside his house while calling out for his brother, Bunty,” said Prashant Gautam, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara).

According to the complaint, the assailants, wearing helmets, fired one or two rounds before fleeing with a third accomplice.

Based on his complaint, an FIR was registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act at the Farsh Bazar police station.

“Acting swiftly, a special team tracked down and apprehended the suspects on the basis of technical and human intelligence inputs,” DCP Gautam said.

While in police custody, accused Zaheer was taken to Yamuna Khadar near Geeta Colony, where the police recovered the weapon used in the crime. However, Zaheer allegedly tried to snatch a government pistol from a police official.

In the ensuing scuffle, the police fired a single shot that hit Zaheer’s right leg and neutralised him. A separate FIR under relevant sections was registered at the Geeta Colony police station, the officer added.

Police recovered one pistol with two live cartridges, a motorcycle, and a mobile phone used in the crime.

During sustained interrogation, the accused revealed that they were hired by a bookie, Sachin alias Golu, who had demanded Rs 30 lakh from Arora and instructed them to fire at his residence when the demand was ignored.

“Zaheer also disclosed that they were planning similar attacks at two bars in East Delhi before their arrest,” the officer said.

All three accused have previous criminal records. Further investigation is underway to trace the main conspirator, Sachin alias Golu, the DCP added.