Cops arrest kingpin of ‘Dial 100 abduction case’ after encounter

Devraj Singh, the kingpin of a gang that abducted a girl from a village in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district last week by posing as policemen with a Dial 100 response van, was arrested after a brief encounter and chase in Panna forests as his pistol malfunctioned.

Singh, who carries a cash reward of ₹25,000, and three policemen were injured in the encounter that began around 2.30am on Saturday morning.

On January 27, Singh and four accomplices kidnapped a girl from her home in a remote village in Panna, posing as policemen. They used a Dial 100 van and police uniform that they stole from policemen in charge of the van. While the four others were arrested and the girl rescued on Wednesday from Tikamgarh, Singh had been absconding.

Panna superintendent of police Riyaz Iqbal said on studying Singh’s crimes, they realised he worked in a pattern. “He generally returned to his native area after some time to collect money. So we were waiting for his return.” He added, “On Friday midnight, our informer gave us a tip about his location. Technical support from cyber cell also helped us locate him in Panna’s Matri Kuthar jungle area.”

Iqbal said he formed a police team, which was sent into the forest area. “We surrounded Devraj, but he fired using his countrymade pistol. Two rounds were fired from his side, while nine to ten were fired by us. When Singh wanted to fire the third round, his pistol got stuck and he started to run. A police team started chasing him. Singh fell into an old well-type structure from where we finally caught him,” he said.

Police have seized the countrymade pistol and some bullets from Singh. He was banished from the district for his criminal activities.

Panna police said they would verify some accomplices’ claim that Singh abducted the girl because of a love affair.

SAGAR/BHOPAL: