Man wanted for 2 robberies nabbed

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police on Sunday said they had arrested a 21-year-old man who was aspiring to establish himself in Delhi’s crime world as a don and had been evading arrest in two armed robbery cases committed earlier this year. The accused, Mani Kandan, liked people calling him ‘don’, which is also his nickname, police said.

Deputy commissioner of police (southeast) Chinmoy Biswal said that the two robberies had been committed on February 8 in Lajpat Nagar area allegedly by Kandan and two of his associates. The first victim was the driver of an IAS officer. In both the crimes, the robbers had allegedly beaten up the victims before robbing them of their mobile phones and cash, said Biswal.

“We nabbed Kandan’s associates on the day of the crimes. Kandan, however, managed to flee and went underground after the crime. Kandan was declared a proclaimed offender and a non- bailable warrant was issued against him by a city court,” said Biswal.

On Friday, the DCP said, the Lajpat Nagar police received information about Kandan’s presence near Jal Vihar bus terminal. A raid was conducted and Kandan was arrested. His interrogation revealed that in order to avoid arrest he had fled to Chennai and had returned to the city only a few days ago.

During interrogation, Kandan told police that his parents belong to Chennai but he was born in Delhi. His family has been living in Madrasi Camp in Lajpat Nagar. Kandan is a school dropout. He became addicted to liquor at an early age and started committing petty crimes to arrange money to buy liquor, said police.

“Kandan established his hold among petty criminals in his neighbourhood and slowly became their leader. He loved it when people called him don,” added Biswal.