The Hindu : New Delhi News : Wanted gangster killed in encounter

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Wanted gangster killed in encounter

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JULY 27. Anil alias Bhagte, an alleged gangster wanted by the Haryana and Delhi police in several cases of murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping for ransom and extortion, was killed in an encounter with the Crime Branch of the Delhi police at Kundli in Haryana in the early hours of Tuesday. Two of his associates were arrested on the spot.

According to the police, a Crime Branch team, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joy Tirkey, had gone to Nangal Kalan village of Sonepat district in Haryana, following a tip-off about Anil. The team took the help of Haryana police and, following a search operation, zeroed-in on the hide-out.

The Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Ranjit Narayan, said the police broke open the door of the room where the suspects were hiding. The team was fired upon and in retaliation the police fired more than six rounds. While Anil sustained gunshot injuries, the other two with him surrendered. Anil was declared dead on arrival at Civil Hospital, Sonepat. Those arrested have been identified as Naresh alias Nishi (28) and Sanjay (25). Apart from two country-made revolvers, a 9 mm Italian pistol was also recovered from the accused.

Anil, the police said, was wanted in 18 cases of murder, kidnapping for ransom, extortion and had also managed to escape from police custody thrice. While he had escaped from the Delhi police custody once, he had dodged the Haryana police twice. Of the 18 cases, Delhi police were looking for him in eight cases. These included murder of one Ram Kumar, "pradhan" of Azadpur Subzi Mandi in 1999.

The police said Anil had kidnapped Sanjiv Batra, a resident of Model Town in February 1998 and demanded a ransom of Rs. 2 crores. However, the police rescued Sanjiv and arrested Anil. Of late, he had been threatening Mr. Batra again and demanding money.

In April 2002, Anil had killed Devender Dahiya in Azadpur subzi mandi -- his area of influence -- and later killed three eyewitnesses of the same case in Haryana.

During one of his escapes in June 2002, Anil's associates drugged his escorts from Haryana police in Ambala and then took control of a bus at gun point to help Anil flee.

The police said Anil used to stay in makeshift accommodations near tube wells in Nangal Kalan. Since the tube wells were in the middle of large fields, it was easy for him and his associates to spot any movement of the police.

Naresh is reported to be close to a Delhi policeman. His antecedents are being verified. The police would also be questioning Sanjay to find out his involvement in criminal activities.

The police said many associates of Anil -- who carried a reward of Rs. 1 lakh, announced by the Delhi police, and Rs. 25,000 by Haryana police -- have already been arrested and many more were likely to be arrested soon.

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