Former home guard arrested for murder

His men waylaid victim, gunned him down; cops say gang rivalry

A former Delhi home guard personnel has been arrested for masterminding the murder of a 30-year-old man in March at Najafgarh, police said on Friday. 

The murder is revealed to be on account of an inter-gang rivalry.

Victim Pratap was driving his car at Mitraun Road on March 9 when he was waylaid by three accomplices of the arrested man, Satyanand.

Assailants Rajesh, Deepak and Manoj pumped bullets into him before fleeing from the spot on their motorcycle.

A case of murder and criminal conspiracy was subsequently lodged with Baba Haridas Nagar police station.

Investigations had revealed that Najafgarh-based Naveen Khat gang was involved in eliminating Pratap who belonged to Manjeet Mahal gang.

Land dispute

The two gangs were involved in a dispute over land, but Pratap and Satyanand had personal enmity.

Satyanand allegedly procured a 0.32 bore pistol from an accomplice and told his brother Rajesh to carry out the elimination plan with two others. Soon after the murder, Satyanand absconded. Police recently learnt that Satyanand was regularly visiting Dwarka.

Held with pistol

A trap was laid after specific information was received that he would be coming to Pochapur village in Dwarka’s sector 23. He was nabbed and a Maruti Alto car, a pistol and three cartridges were recovered from him.

Local police were soon informed about the arrest by Crime Branch which carried out the entire operation.

Satyanand was with Delhi Home Guards from 2006 to 2011 before joining the gang.