The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought a lowdown from Delhi Police on the shootout near Mehrauli in South Delhi, which left one person dead and another critically injured. Delhi Police investigation into the case uncovers Rs12 lakh bounty as the prime mover behind Monday’s bloodbath.
Police have so far identified three suspects — Neeraj Kumar, Rahul and Israr. Neeraj, a resident of South Delhi’s lado Sarai, had taken Rs12 lakh from an Uttar Pradesh-based businessman for getting his son admission to a well-known Delhi University college. The tout, however, failed to make good on his promise and was being threatened by recovery agents Sonu and his crony Sandeep. They had been hired by the businessman to
strong-arm Neeraj into coughing up the cash.
24-year-old Sonu moonlighted as a fireman at a five-star hotel. His friend, Sandeep, who is a property dealer, is currently battling for his life. The incident came to light at about 1.30 pm on Monday when a passerby informed the PCR of a firing near Qutb Minar complex. Immediately a PCR van and local police rushed to the scene. Both Sonu and Sandeep were rushed to AIIMS Trauma Centre where Sonu was pronounced dead on arrival. “Sonu had been shot
twice while Sandeep suffered a bullet wound,” said an investigating official.
As per eyewitness accounts, 5-6 men sidled up to Sonu and Sandeep in two cars — a Scorpio and a Å koda — and started spraying bullets. Sonu and Sandeep were then at a kiosk sipping tea when the indiscriminate firing took place.
Several teams have been formed to home in on Neeraj and his partners-in-crime. A few members have been detained. Senior officials have however, not ruled out the possibility of a property dispute. Several teams of South Delhi have also been trying to crack the case, including the special staff and Special Task Force (STF).
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Prem Nath was also summoned by the top brass to step up vigil around Qutb Minar, regarded as a tourist magnet.