Bullet shot in 1998 found during autopsy

Gangster Sunil Rathi tells police that he killed the don in selfdefence after an altercation over a petty dispute

Chief medical officer, Baghpat, Dr Sushma Chandra said the post mortem report had been sent to the district magistrate and the superintendent of police. At least nine bullet wounds were found in the body of gangster during the post mortem examination, a senior police officer said.

One of the bullets that had hit the gangster during an encounter with the special task force (STF) in Delhi in 1998 was found on his body during the post mortem on Monday.

LUCKNOW: After killing Munna Bajrangi inside Baghpat jail on Monday morning, gangster Sunil Rathi told the police he killed the don in self-defence, a senior jail official said.

Initial findings suggest that he fired at least 10 bullets killing Bajrangi on the spot.

The officer said Rathi kept changing his statement on the sequence of events to mislead the police.

“Rathi confessed to have murdered Bajrangi during interrogation by a police team but claimed that he opened fire in self-defence when Bajrangi trained a pistol on him following an altercation over a petty dispute,” the officer said.

“Rathi claimed that the brawl ensued after Bajrangi commented on his appearance. Rathi said Bajrangi trained a pistol on him after a heated argument. Rathi said he snatched the pistol from Bajrangi and fired at him,” he added.

The officer said Rathi denied having a pistol in his possession and said Bajrangi brought the firearm along with him during his night stay in Baghpat jail.

He added Bajrangi’s confidant Vicky Sunehra, another inmate lodged in Baghpat jail, failed to give any information about the incident.

He said Vicky informed the police that he was in toilet when Bajrangi was attacked and found him dead when he rushed out after hearing the gunshots.

› Rathi confessed to have murdered Bajrangi during interrogation by a police team but claimed that he opened fire in selfdefence when Bajrangi trained a pistol on him following an altercation over a petty dispute

POLICE OFFICER

“Though Rathi admitted to killing Bajrangi in self-defence but no jail inmate or personnel was ready to speak on the incident. They all said they did not see anyone attacking Bajrangi,” the officer added.

He, however, said the circumstances hinted that the attack was not in self-defence as at least 10 rounds of bullets were fired. He said 10 bullets shells were recovered from the spot which showed the assailant wanted to ensure that he was killed.

Meanwhile, additional director general (ADG) Chandra Prakash also visited the Baghpat district jail on Tuesday to review security arrangements and found many lapses.

He issued necessary directives to Noida jail superintendent Vipin Mishra, who has the additional charge of Baghpat jail, and jailor SK Singh who is made the in-charge of Baghpat jail on Monday.