Criminal with Rs 1lakh bounty held after encounter

New Delhi: A 38-year-old man, wanted in connection with killing two men and carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh, was arrested following an exchange of fire, the police said on Wednesday.

His associate was arrested last month in connection with the case.

The arrested criminal was identified as Rajiv, alias Monu, a  resident of Issapur. He was previously involved in 10 criminal cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and theft.

On May 2, the accused were waiting near a temple at Bamnoli village where the road was broken and the drivers had to slow down their vehicles.

As the car carrying Sandeep, alias Mental, and his associate Pawan reached near them, three men fired at the duo and escaped on a motorcycle and a car, they added.  

Sandeep alias Mental was a notorious gangster of the area and Pawan was his close aide.  During the course of investigation, it was found that Rajiv, along with his associates, was involved in the double murder which was outcome of a dispute between the two gangsters over a property.

On Monday, information was received that Rajiv has gone to Rajasthan. Immediately a trap was laid but he managed to hoodwink the police team.

In the evening, a tip-off was received that the gangster would be visiting his hideout in Chhawla village via Rawata More. A trap was laid but he sensed the presence of police, Rajiv tried to escape and nearly mowed down an officer. The police fired a shot and deflated the vehicle’s tyre. He whipped out pistol and fired twice at the police team in a bid to escape. The police fired in retaliation and overpowered him.

A sophisticated revolver with four live cartridges has been recovered from and a case under the appropriate sections of law has been registered against him, said the police.