Date:14/06/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/06/14/stories/2004061413310300.htm

New Delhi

Four held in murder cases

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JUNE 13. Four persons, who were allegedly involved in cases of murder, robbery and theft, were arrested from Naraina by the Special Staff of the South-West Delhi police this Saturday. A country-made firearm and knives were recovered from their possession.

While investigating into cases of robbery, the Special Staff found that a bad character of Mangolpuri police station, Pratap, was out on bail for the past eight months. They also received a tip-off that on Saturday, Pratap and his accomplices were planning to commit a robbery in a moving bus near Naraina flyover.

Accordingly, a team comprising Sub-Inspectors Rajkumar and Ravinder Tyagi, Assistant Sub-Inspector Charan Singh and others, reached the place. Around 8-30 p.m., they spotted the suspects and overpowered four of them, while the fifth fled under the cover of darkness. Those arrested were identified as Pratap, Mahesh Chand, Raj Kumar and Raju. The one who fled was identified as Pappu.

During sustained interrogation, Pratap disclosed that he was initiated into the world of crime over two decades ago and was involved in more than 40 cases of murder, attempt to murder, assault, robbery, dacoity, theft and those under the Arms Act. He was convicted in 11 cases and most of the time he spent behind bars.

In 2002, he was arrested along with his accomplices for allegedly committing robbery in moving buses. In October last year, he managed to get out on bail and went missing to form a new gang for committing thefts and picking pockets.

Mahesh disclosed that unemployment forced him to join Pratap's gang in 1992 and he too started committing robbery and picking pockets in buses. He is involved in at least eight cases reported to the police. Another accused, Raju, disclosed that due to addiction to smack, he started picking pockets and then joined Pratap.