Did Qutab firing suspect take part in `8-cr heist too?
PLOT THICKENS Cops say accused provided a car for multi-crore daylight robbery, in Qutab firing he helped key accused with manpower
NEW DELHI: One of the suspects in the March 8 firing near Qutab Minar was allegedly involved in the `8-crore armed heist near the Moolchand flyover in Lajpat Nagar on January 28 last year.
The man, identified as Rohit Choudhary, was part of the plot in the Lajpat Nagar heist. He was not physically present at the crime spot but provided logistic support to the prime accused by arranging one of the vehicles used in the heist.
The multi-crore daylight robbery that had raised questions on capital’s law and order situation was solved almost a week later by the special cell. Over half-a-dozen persons, including two Haryana police officials, were arrested in the case. Assistant sub-inspector Basant and head constable Sandeep Kumar had nabbed one of the robbers with around `8 lakh but had released him after taking the money.
Rohit was not arrested in the case due to lack of evidence. A police officer privy to that investigation said Rohit was questioned and his disclosures were instrumental in identifying the suspects and tracing their hideouts.
In the firing incident too, Rohit helped the prime accused Neeraj alias Ghitru with manpower.
Neeraj, a property dealer involved in four criminal cases, wanted to settle his score with another criminal Narender with whom he was having a row over the payment of `12 lakh.
IN THE FIRING INCIDENT TOO, ROHIT HELPED THE PRIME ACCUSED NEERAJ ALIAS GHITRU WITH MANPOWER
“A businessman from Kanpur had hired Narender to retrieve `12 lakh From Neeraj. The businessman had paid Neeraj the money for arranging admission for his son at Sri Venkateswara College of Delhi University. Neeraj, however, did not manage to get a seat in the college and also did not return the money,” said an officer.
Only two hours before the firing, Neeraj and Narender had a heated argument over the same issue at the tea kiosk where the firing took place. Neeraj left the place and met Rohit and sought his help in arranging manpower and weapons to kill Narender.
“Rohit contacted his associates Anil Dakshinpuri and Disilva and got hold of a dozen other criminals and arranged for as many as 15 firearms with around 100 live cartridges. They arrived at the tea kiosk near Qutab Minar around 1.30 pm and opened fire at Narender and his four associates. While Narender escaped unhurt, his aide Surender alias Sonu died and another associate Sandeep was critically injured. As many as 10 bullets were fired,” said the officer.
Eight persons including Neeraj were arrested on Sunday by a team led by inspectors Rajinder Singh of special task force and Akhileshwar Yadav of the special staff. Neeraj was arrested from Kanpur. Two others accused in the case surrendered on Tuesday.
Efforts are on to nab three more criminals absconding in the case.