Panic gripped motorists and commuters waiting for the traffic signal to turn green at the curve of Gurjar Samrat Mihir Bhoj Marg, near Akshardham, when gunshots were heard around 4.30 pm on Thursday.
What followed next was action that very much resembled to Bollywood flicks.
Two Delhi Police personnel riding a scooty who happened to be in the vicinity managed to nab two of the six criminals who had robbed two Haryana-based businessmen of Rs 35 to Rs 40 lakh and one of the criminals opened fire at them.
According to police, a gang of six armed robbers, on three bikes were tailing the duo after they hired an auto near Ghazipur Murga Mandi to reach to the Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) Kashmere Gate.
Before the victims could comprehend what was happening, they were surrounded by the gang members who forcibly snatched the bag containing cash. Seeing the commotion, the two Delhi Police officials intervened.
The criminals opened fire but the bullet missed the mark and in the ensuing melee, cops managed to pin down on two criminals while their cohorts fled the spot with the “booty”.
According to a senior police official, the victims have been identified as Ashok Kumar, a resident of Ganaur (Haryana) and Narendra, a resident of Karnal (Haryana). They are into the business of poultry and on Thursday they came here in Ghaizpur Mandi to collect their payment, police said.
“After collecting the money, which was around 30-35 lakh they hired an auto-rickshaw for Kashmiri Gate and around 4:30 pm when they reached near the Akshardham they were stopped by six miscreants on three bikes who tried to snatch briefcase from the victims on a gunpoint,” said the senior police official.
“Police patrolling team was also passing through that road and stopped after noticing the miscreants. On seeing police personnel, the accused snatched the briefcase and tried to flee from the spot,” said the senior police official.
“However, one of the accused was apprehended by patrolling team while the other fled the spot with money. The accused, who was arrested, also fired upon police, but was overpowered. Another accused, who works as collection agent of the victim, was also arrested by police within hours,” said the senior police official.
“Initial investigation revealed that the accused were aware about victims and had followed them from Ghazipur Mandi. Two accused are arrested. Police team is interrogating the accused to identify the others involved in the crime. Police team is also collecting CCTV footage to identify and nab other accused,” said Jasmeet Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), East district.
“We have taken statement of the victims and the auto-rickshaw driver. A case under robbery, 186/353/332 of Indian Penal Code and Arms Act has been registered at Pandav Nagar police station. Further investigation is going on,” said the DCP.