JOIN USOne of the most wanted criminals of the capital, Neetu Dabodia, was killed along with two of his associates while a Delhi Police officer was injured in a shootout in south Delhi late on Thursday.
Neetu Dabodia alias Surender Malik carried a cash reward of Rs 7 lakh for information which lead to his arrest. According to police, Dabodia’s car was intercepted by officers of the special cell near Grand Hyatt Hotel in Vasant Kunj at around 10.30 pm.
Sources said Dabodia and his associates were signalled to stop, but instead they opened fire at the police team. Police retaliated and the trio sustained gunshot wounds.
They were rushed to AIIMS trauma centre, but were declared brought dead. Police have identified one of the accomplices as Alok. A Delhi Police officer is undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds.
Dabodia was wanted for involvement in a number of cases including that of kidnapping, car-jacking, robbery, dacoity and contract killing. Recently, after the arrest of several of his associates, it was suspected that Dabodia had shifted base to Punjab.
He was also involved in the murder of Delhi Police head constable Ram Kishen in November 2012.
Dabodia was in Bhondsi Jail after Haryana Police arrested him in 2010. He and his associates ran their racket from the prison.
They allegedly arranged the supply of weapons, ammunition and vehicles to gang members. Dabodia escaped when he was being taken to Saket court from Bhondsi Jail in April 2012.
In February, Dabodia and one of his associates were wounded in an encounter after special cell tracked them down. However, Dabodia managed to escape. Dabodia was difficult to track down as he did not use mobile phones. He communicated with his associates through letters.