New Delhi: In an encounter in southeast Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan area on Friday, a robber named Nishu (35) was nabbed after he was shot in both legs by the Delhi Police. The robber was accused in a case involving theft at gunpoint, in which Rs 18 lakh was stolen in the Hazrat Nizamuddin area. Police also arrested three other accused—identified as Tarun (20), Shiva Jat (20), Vikash (21)—in connection with the case.
Shedding light on the case, police said the robbers were wanted in an incident that occurred on December 10 when two cash collection agents were waylaid by two men wearing black helmets and robbed at gunpoint. According to police, the robbers on a bike attempted to snatch the bag containing cash amounting to Rs 18 lakh that the agents had collected from a trader in Chandni Chowk. When one of the victims carrying the bag resisted the attempt, one of the robbers threatened him with a pistol and fled with the bag, said police.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Ravi Kumar Singh said during the investigation, it was discovered that the motorcycle involved in the robbery was stolen from Jyoti Nagar police station on November 20. One of the robbers, identified as Tarun, was apprehended from Ghaziabad. On sustained interrogation, he disclosed his involvement in the crime and led the police to other gang members, Vikas and Shiva, who were later arrested from Mayur Vihar.
A star pistol, two live cartridges, Rs 4.52 lakh in cash, and clothing items, including helmets, shoes, and clothes worn during the robbery, were recovered from Shiva, the robber who was riding the bike during the incident. On further investigation, Nishu was arrested from the Sarai Kale Khan area after a brief exchange of fire. When the police team approached him, the accused fired at them. In response, the police shot at Nishu, hitting both his legs.
Police said Nishu has been involved in over 25 cases, including armed robbery, attempted murder, violations of the Arms Act, among others. “He specifically targets individuals involved in hawala transactions, an informal and unregulated financial system. This makes his victims less likely to report the crimes due to the illegal nature of their dealings,” police said.
