JOIN USMan shot dead in court
An undertrial was shot dead by a teen in gang rivalry while he was produced at outer Delhi’s Rohini Court on Wednesday. The assailant was arrested and two country-made pistols were recovered, police said.
A Delhi Police constable also sustained a bullet injury in his leg in the attack carried out by Mukesh, 19, who hails from Haryana’s Sonipat district.
It took place when Naveen Khatri, 25, was being produced at the court for involvement in a murder case in 2010.
“On the way, Naveen was fired upon around 12 pm and on hearing the gunshot, constable Raj Kumar of Rohini Court police post ran after the shooter,” said B S Jaiswal, deputy commissioner of police (outer).
Mukesh was overpowered after a chase, and the weapon of offence, a country-made pistol, was seized from him. “Another country-made pistol was recovered on the spot,” Jaiswal added.
Police said Mukesh meticulously planned a “novel” method of smuggling the pistols inside the high-security court premises.
“There is a tea shop right outside the court set against its wall. Mukesh wrapped two country-made pistols in a polythene bag. On the pretext of having tea, he discreetly placed it on the iron grill surrounding the court complex,” Jaiswal said.
Mukesh then entered the court complex and went to the spot where he had hidden his weapons to collect them.
When Naveen came, Mukesh loaded his pistols reportedly in full public view and fired more than two rounds.
He then tried to escape but was nabbed. “Naveen was shot at in the back from a close range. He was rushed to Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead,” Jaiswal added.
Naveen and Mukesh belong to two rival gangs based in Narela. Mukesh belongs to ‘Ashwani gang’ — allegedly involved in several cases of murder, attempt to murder and dacoity — whose gang leader Ashwani Khatri was arrested in 2011, and is in judicial custody.
“Naveen had killed Ashwani gang member Sushil in 2010. Mukesh used to work as a conductor in Sushil’s buses,” Jaiswal said.
Ashwani had recently told Mukesh that Naveen is planning to kill him as he was close to Sushil. “So Ashwani conspired to kill Naveen and for this, the weapon was arranged by Ashwani,” Jaiswal added.
A case of murder has been lodged against Mukesh with Prashant Vihar police station.