An accused, out on bail in a murder case, has been arrested by the Delhi Police for reasserting his dominance as a local goon in West Delhi with an illegal firearm, an official said on Wednesday.
According to the police, the accused, identified as Manoj (29), a resident of Jhuggi, Ramesh Nagar, spent around seven years in jail for his involvement in a 2017 murder case registered at the Khyala police station. After being released on bail in January this year, he allegedly began intimidating and extorting local bootleggers and gamblers in Ramesh Nagar and nearby areas to establish himself as a local goon.
“Based on the intel received on Monday that Manoj had resumed criminal activities and was carrying a firearm, a team laid a trap near Ramesh Nagar,” said Sharad Bhaskar Darade, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West), adding that the team conducted surveillance and apprehended the accused from a jhuggi.
The police recovered a country-made pistol and a live cartridge from his possession. A case under sections 25/54/59 of the Arms Act has been registered at Kirti Nagar police station.
During sustained interrogation, Manoj disclosed that he had procured the firearm from a man identified as Lucky, a resident of R-Block, Raghubir Nagar.
“Efforts are underway to trace the weapon’s source and identify other associates involved in the illegal arms supply chain,” the officer added.
The accused’s intention was to instil fear among locals using his past record. “His activities were aimed at creating local dominance and extorting money from illicit operators in the area,” the DCP said.