Fatehabad cops in Haryana nab murder, rape suspect after gunfight

The Fatehabad police captured a notorious murder and rape suspect, Mahendra Singh, alias Nikka, on Monday after a brief gunfight that left him injured. DSP Crime Kulwant Singh said the suspect, who is wanted in a case involving the killing of a woman, had been evading arrest and was hiding in Punjab. He had previously escaped from police custody in Sirsa.

The police received intelligence that the suspect, accompanied by his wife, was planning to travel through the area. Teams from the CIA Ratia unit, led by Sub-Inspector Pardeep Kumar, set up surveillance. Near Bhakra Canal Road, Singh attempted to flee on a motorcycle when police signalled him to stop. The motorcycle slipped on the concrete, causing him to fall.

According to the police, Singh fired four rounds at officers during the incident. Two bullets struck ASI Raghubir Singh’s bulletproof jacket, saving him from injury. In response, the police fired at Singh, hitting him in the leg and apprehending him at the scene. The police recovered a .32-bore pistol, four empty cartridges and two live rounds from Singh. He was initially treated at a local hospital and then referred to Agroha Medical College for further treatment. During questioning, Singh admitted that he had been hiding in Punjab and was planning to take his wife there. Authorities said Singh has a long criminal record, with 18 cases registered against him, including murder, robbery and arms violations. The police are probing and expect more disclosures from him.