Delhi: Wanted gangster arrested after brief exchange of fire

The Special Cell of Delhi Police arrested one of the most wanted gangsters following a brief exchange of fire near Kondli Pulia towards Dharamshila Hospital area. The accused was wanted in a daylight gunpoint cash van robbery of Rs 39 lakh in east Delhi.

The accused was identified as Pushpender Singh, a native of Hapur in UP who is previously involved in eight cases of murder, robbery, dacoity and Arms Act. According to the police, it was on November 13, 2017, after a sensational robbery took place in New Ashok Nagar area when the victim, who was then identified as one Mahesh, was carrying Rs 39 lakh cash from Vasundhara in Ghaziabad. His driver and a gunman were accompanying him.

"As they reached the bank, two robbers came on a motorcycle and tried to snatch the cash bag. When Mahesh resisted, the duo fired on him and managed to escape with the cash. Singh was identified as the mastermind behind the heist and following regular intelligence, last Thursday information was received that Singh would come near Dharamshila Hospital. Accordingly, a trap was laid but soon as the police tried to apprehend him, the gangster took out a pistol and opened fire on police. After a short exchange of fire from both sides, Singh was arrested," said PS Kushwah, DCP special. Cell.

During interrogation, the DCP added, Singh disclosed that in 2013, he met one Zarib who is an active robber and started committing crimes with him. Zarib was arrested in Morena, Madhya Pradesh when he along with his two associates attempted to rob Rs 1.5 lakh and gold from a goldsmith at gunpoint. After getting released from jail, he along with his associates committed a number of other robberies. The murder of Neeraj, his own associate was one of such several crimes committed in this period. He shot dead Neeraj on the dispute of distribution of booty, the officer said.