Undertrial shot dead outside Rohini Court
An undertrial criminal brought to Rohini Court by Haryana Police for his hearing in a murder case was shot dead outside the court complex in broad daylight by two assailants on Saturday.
The victim Rajesh had 16 cases of robbery, attempt to murder and murder against him.
After being shot, Rajesh was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. One of the attackers was caught by the police.
Sources said that Rajesh Durmut was a notorious criminal and associated with Neetu Dabodia gang.
It is suspected that Rajesh was eliminated by members of the Neeraj Bawana gang, though cops are also seeing it as a case of contract killing.
The reason for the assassination is yet to be determined.
On Saturday, Rajesh – escorted by Haryana Police personnel – reached Rohini court for his hearing.
As soon as he got down from the police vehicle, two men on a motorbike opened fire on him with a countrymade pistol.
While the police took him to the hospital, the Haryana police who accompanied the under trial chased and caught the shooter while his accomplice managed to escape.
According to police, the two men had been waiting outside the court for Rajesh’s arrival. Cops confirmed that he died on his way to the hospital.
“Rajesh was shot dead outside Rohini Court by Mohit, a resident of Jhajjar, Haryana, when the former was brought to Rohini Court by Haryana Police. We have arrested Mohit.” said DCP Rohini, Rishi Pal Singh.
During questioning, Mohit told the police that he did not know Rajesh personally, but was paid to kill him. Mohit said that an associate of his, Satish, helped him identify Rajesh and that his job was just to open fire on him. Satish fled the spot after Mohit opened fire.
Sources in police said that the deceased had several cases registered against him in Bawana and was arrested in 2016 in a murder case. He had been in judicial custody since then.
The case could be seen as a serious lapse of security as Rajesh was shot dead in front of police personnel right outside the court premises after planned attack.
The ease with which the assassination took place also raises serious questions about the security of the undertrials, whose lives face serious danger.
Earlier, in April 2014, ten men – part of the Neeraj Bawana-naveen Baali gang – had come to district court in Rohini dressed as lawyers to eliminate Pradeep alias Bhola, a key member of the Neetu Dabodia gang.
However, alert cops spotted the attackers and averted a possible shootout.
In 2015, Paras alias Goldy, another member of the Neetu Dabodia gang, was killed while inside a prison van. The two rival gangs have carried out a series of attacks on each others’ members.