Two gang members held after exchange of fire with police

Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested two associates of the Hashim Baba gang in separate operations, including an absconding shooter wanted in a murder case, officials said on Monday.

The primary accused, Shadab Ahmad (28), a resident of Jafarabad, was arrested from the Gadi Mendu area near Signature Bridge in northeast Delhi. He had been absconding for the past two years.

In total, two loaded semi-automatic pistols and 11 live cartridges were seized from their possession, police said.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Praveen Kumar Tripathi, the arrests were made by the New Delhi Range team of the Special Cell as part of ongoing efforts to curb organised crime in the capital.

In one of the operations, cops recovered seized one loaded semi-automatic pistol and five live cartridges from the accused’s possession. A case under relevant sections of the Arms Act has been registered at the Special Cell police station.

Officials said Shadab is a maternal nephew of jailed gangster Suhail Chappal and is wanted in connection with an FIR registered at the Seelampur police station on charges of murder and attempt to murder.

The case relates to a March 9, 2024 incident in Seelampur, where Shadab and his associates allegedly opened fire on rival Chenu gang members Arbaz and Abid, resulting in Arbaz’s death. Investigations indicate the killing was driven by personal enmity, with Arbaz allegedly having harassed Suhail Chappal in Mandoli Jail.

Shadab had also been declared a proclaimed offender in another attempt to murder case registered at Jafarabad police station after failing to appear before the trial court.