Seven gangsters killed, 21 injured in Delhi police encounters in four months in Delhi

Notably, Harsimra, an associate of Europe-based gangster Goldy Dhillon, had planned to flee the country on a fake passport to reach the United States via Europe, but was caught in Bangkok in transit.

In the same spell, the cops seized cash worth Rs 1.014 crore, 1.3 kg of gold, 14 kg of silver, eight cars, 11 motorcycles, 22 mobile phones and a laptop.

The details were given by Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Singh Kushwah on the sidelines of Operation ‘gang bust’, a crackdown against such organised crimes.

Out of the seven gangsters that were killed, four were killed in a single encounter in the wee hours of October 23. The four were wanted criminals from Bihar and were killed in an encounter with the joint team of the Delhi Police Crime Branch and Bihar Police at Bahadur Shah Marg in northeast Delhi’s Rohini.

The deceased were identified as Ranjan Pathak, Bimlesh Mahto, Manish Pathak and Aman Thakur.

The police said the gang leader Ranjan was a “dreaded criminal” who carried a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for his arrest. He and his associates had been linked to the murder of former Brahmarshi Sena district chief Ram Manohar Sharma in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district.

It is noteworthy to mention that the crackdown on the gangsters has been intensified both by the special cell as well as the crime branch, both crown units of the Delhi Police.

Meanwhile, to fight the new-age cyber crime, last year the Delhi Police formed "Operation Cell", functioning under Special Cell, a dedicated team of cyber experts that monitors terrorism-related activities on social media, dark web and bomb threats.

Earlier the police had set up a specialised cell for MCOCA cases to strengthen prosecution against syndicates. This cell works with the Crime Branch and Special Cell to handle charges, maintain databases, and pursue cases that hold up in court, especially against gangsters operating across states or from abroad.

The cops are also working in direction to neutralise the gangs in the national capital by slapping MCOCA. One such example is of November where the Delhi Police claimed to have curbed the menace of the infamous "Nasir Gang" that was operating in the Trans-Yamuna region. 14 key members of the gang, including the kingpin Abdul Nasir and his three brothers — Adil, Nadir and Shamim, were arrested on various occasions and are lodged in jails of the city for the last four years.

Similarly, MCOCA was slapped on at least 10 Bhau gang members, nine members of the Nandu gang and two members of the Kala Jathedi gang.

In view of the aforementioned steps, the Delhi Police claim to make the national capital a safer place for the residents.