2 inter-state criminals held after encounter in Gurugram

The Gurugram police have nabbed two inter-state criminals after a brief encounter while they were fleeing after stealing jewellery from a house in the Palam Vihar area. Both accused, who suffered bullet injuries, have been admitted to a hospital for treatment.

The accused were identified as Ranjit Soni (36), a resident of Sangam Vihar, Delhi, and Tanzeer Alam (29), a native of Betia district in Bihar.

Many cases related to theft, robbery and possession of illegal weapons have been registered against both of them in several states. A car, two illegal pistols, cartridges, ATM car and stolen jewellery worth Rs 10 lakh were recovered from their possession.

According to the police, the Palam Vihar crime unit team received information on Monday night that criminals travelling in a car were planning to commit a robbery in Gurugram. They were also carrying weapons. The police then started checking vehicles after placing barricades on a road towards Dharampur. In the meantime, the team saw a car coming at a high speed, with the Sector 31 crime unit team chasing it. When the police tried to stop the car at the checkpoint, the car’s driver hit the barricades and started running away after taking the car down onto the unpaved road. The driver opened fire at police official. The bullet hit the window of the police’s vehicle.

In retaliatory action, the police also opened fire at the accused. A total of nine rounds were fired from both sides, of which five were fired from the side of the accused and four from the police. The accused were shot in the leg, which led to their arrest. An FIR was registered against both accused under relevant sections of the BNS and Arms Act at the Rajendra Park police station.

The police have recovered stolen jewellery worth Rs 10 lakh, a car used in crime, two pistols, four live cartridges and nine empty bullets, a bag, mask and an ATM card from their possession.

“The accused were running away from the Palam Vihar area after stealing jewellery from a house. More than four dozen cases including robbery and theft are registered against the accused in many states. Both the accused who were injured by the bullets have been admitted to the hospital. After discharge from the hospital, the accused will be arrested as per rules and interrogated thoroughly. A further probe is on,” said Varun Dahiya, ACP (Crime).