Wanted criminal Manoj Vashishtha, who was gunned down by the Delhi Police Special Cell at Sagar Ratna on Saturday, was facing 24 cases of cheating in real estate across the country, including Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar and Delhi. Sources said a victim of his fraud had committed suicide in 2013 when Vashishtha duped him of Rs18 lakh. Police claimed to have found his involvement in 24 cases of cheating and fraud. Sources said the pistol he was carrying was illegal as the licence had expired. “The gun licence was issued from Meerut, which was authorised in Uttar Pradesh only,” said the source, adding it was also expired.
The statements of 13 people, including Jennifer Dias and Sanjay Bohra, have been recorded. Vashishtha had come to meet seven people, including three women, for reportedly finalising a deal related to the real estate business. Meanwhile, a post-mortem was conducted at lady Hardinge Hospital in Central Delhi. Vashishtha’s family has alleged the shootout was staged. While police refuted their allegations, an SIT headed by a Joint Commissioner of Police of the Central Range SK Gautam will probe the ‘shootout’.