The Hindu : New Delhi News : Gangster, wife held after encounter

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 06, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Gangster, wife held after encounter

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, OCT. 5. An alleged gangster suspected to be involved in over 20 cases of murder, robbery and carjacking and his newly-wedded wife were arrested following a brief encounter with the police at Najafgarh in South-West Delhi at midnight on Monday night. While some police personnel sustained minor injuries during the operation, the authorities claim to have recovered a Chinese pistol and live cartridges from his possession.

Following the arrest of two persons, Praveen and Sunil, for their alleged involvement in two carjacking and two robbery cases a few days ago, the South-West Delhi police came to know that they worked for a 27-year-old gangster, Bijender Singh Jat.

Investigations revealed that on Monday night, Bijender was to go to Hastsal via Najafgarh along with his 19-year-old wife, whom he had married this September 6.

Acting on the tip-off, a police team led by Inspector H.S. Meena laid a trap on Nangloi-Najafgarh Road. The police spotted the motorcycle on which Bijender and his wife, Preeti, were coming towards their picket.

They waved at him to stop but realising that it was police, the suspect whipped out a pistol and opened fire at them.

One of the bullets got embedded in the bullet-proof jacket worn by constable Satbir Singh. The woman accompanying the suspect also started throwing stones at the police party.

However, the police finally managed to overpower both and seize the pistol. During interrogation, they identified themselves as Bijender and Preeti.

Bijender revealed that he entered into the world of crime in 1994 when he robbed a person of a Maruti van and used it to commit more robberies.

In 2001, he allegedly killed Surinder, son of another gangster, Braham Singh, to settle an old score.

The police said Bijender shot dead his first wife and set the body ablaze in April last year after she tried to stop him from committing crimes. None of her family members came forward to get a case registered, as they were afraid of Bijender.

He also revealed that Preeti married him because she wanted to avenge the murder of her father at the hands of her neighbours who thereafter usurped her family's property.

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