3 arrested for murder in city court complex

The Delhi police arrested three more persons in connection with Monday's shootout in Rohini court complex in which an under-trial prisoner had been killed.

Though there was no official word, police sources said the killing was a case of mistaken identity. Gangster Neeraj Bawana, lodged in Tihar prison, wanted to eliminate his rival Rajesh Bawania who was also to be produced in the court on Monday, sources said. But Vinod alias Ballu was shot dead by Abdul Khan, who was arrested from the crime scene.

It is not the first time that Neeraj's name has cropped up in a shoot-out despite his being in jail. "We have arrested Praveen Chahar and Vikram Sehrawat alias Rinku alias Babar and apprehended a 17-year-old," said Rohini DCP Rishi Pal.

The police said Khan had no previous criminal record and had used a country-made pistol to kill Vikas. Technical surveillance and local intelligence led the cops to the remaining accused.

"Praveen sheltered Vikram and the juvenile. They then offered money to Khan. A day before the shooting, all four consumed alcohol. A resident of Bawana provided the weapon," said Pal.

Khan is a fan of Neeraj and agreed to carry out the killing as his associates had approached him. Sources said Khan was intoxicated and could not identify Vinod and fired at him. Bawania's hearing was delayed by few minutes and he escaped. He has been in Tihar since 2014.

Praveen is a resident of Mundka and has two previous criminal cases against him. Vikram lives in Bawana and has car-jacking cases against him. The juvenile is said to be involved in heinous crimes.