Suspected highway robber held for murder of trader

New Delhi: A 19-year-old youth suspected to be heading a gang involved in committing highway robberies has been arrested for allegedly killing an Ambala-based shopkeeper in Rohini, the police said on Monday.

On October 29, Ashok’s body was found with stab injuries, the police said, adding that during investigation it was revealed that he was a shopkeeper from Ambala and had come to make some purchases from Bhagirath Palace in Old Delhi.

He had come to Delhi and purchased various items for his shop and reached the G.T. Karnal Road at about 10.30 pm. He was waiting for another carrier to take the articles to his home town. The driver of the carrier, in which he had brought the items till the G.T. Karnal Road, was also accompanying him, the police said.

Ashok and the driver were standing near Nangli village when two youngsters appeared from the roadside. One of them held the driver’s neck and threatened him by showing a knife and the other overpowered Ashok in a similar manner, they said.

Scared, the driver gave all his cash and mobile to the robber while Ashok tried to resist which infuriated the accused who stabbed him to death, the police said.

The duo threatened the driver against revealing anything about the incident. He left from there and it was around November 4 when he informed the police that he was with Ashok when the incident took place, they said.

On the basis of a tip off, Vijay alias Daatla was nabbed on November 4 from near Budhpur bus stand near GT Karnal Road, they added.

With his arrest, the police claimed to have solved nine cases of robbery reported from Rohini and northwest Delhi.

Daatla entered the world of crime to earn easy money, they said, adding that he along with his associates had formed the gang called “Daatla Gang”.