Police arrest proclaimed offender, member of Leela Pehalwan gang

The accused disclosed that he drove a private taxi for a year and during that period, he came in contact with some criminals who used to carry illegal arms with them

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police have arrested a criminal associated with the Leela Pehalwan alias Ganja gang, who was also declared a proclaimed offender in an Arms Act case by the High Court.

The accused, Rahul Rathi (29) has been involved in multiple criminal cases ranging from murder, attempt to murder to land grabbing and multiple cases of the Arms Act.

Rathi had been on the run in an Arms Act case registered under the Chhawla police station. He was finally traced, when the police received credible inputs that the accused would come near Dwarka Mor area to meet his contacts. A team was immediately dispatched to the location, and upon identification, he was apprehended.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed that he used to drive a private taxi for one year. During this period, he came in contact with some criminals who used to carry illegal arms with them. He also started carrying a pistol with him, said police.

On 11 March 2011, he was apprehended with an illegal firearm by the police.

After his return from jail, he came in contact with a criminal, Pardeep, who was involved in multiple cases of land grabbing and extortion in Najafgarh area of Delhi. Rathi was lured because of the money involved and was soon a part of the gang.

“We are trying to identify the other members of the gang. Further investigation is underway,” said a senior police official.