Most-wanted gangster, three aides held after highway encounter near Sonepat

In a major breakthrough, Sonepat police have arrested a notorious gangster and three of his associates following an early morning encounter on National Highway 334B near Rathdhana village on Tuesday. The gang, involved in multiple crimes, was allegedly attempting to loot commuters when the police intervened.

The most-wanted criminal, Chand alias Chanda alias Pehalwan from Bidhal village, sustained a bullet injury in his leg during the exchange of fire. He was initially admitted to the Sonepat Civil Hospital but later referred to Bhagat Phool Singh Medical College for Women in Khanpur for further treatment.

The three other accused have been identified as Nishant alias Kala, resident of Uttam Nagar, Bandepur village (Sonepat), Manish alias Monu, from Bidhal village (Sonepat) and Sachin alias Tinku, of Kunjiya village (Jhajjar district).

ACP (Headquarters) Ajeet Singh said Sub-Inspector Anil Kumar, incharge of the Crime Unit Sector-27, along with his team, was patrolling near Bahalgarh Chowk on NH-44 around 4.30 am when they received a tip-off about four armed men trying to loot travellers near Rathdhana village on the Meerut–Jhajjar road (NH-334B).

“As our team reached the spot, the suspects tried to stop the police vehicle, pointed a pistol at the driver and demanded cash, mobile phones and other valuables,” said the ACP. “On spotting police inside, they attempted to flee. One of them opened fire, prompting the team to retaliate. One miscreant was shot in the leg and fell, while the other three were overpowered and arrested.”

Police recovered five pistols — four of .315 bore and one of .32 bore — along with eight live cartridges and 470 grams of charas from the accused.

Chand was carrying two .315 bore country-made pistols, Nishant had a loaded .315 bore pistol, Sachin was also armed with a .315 bore pistol and Manish was in possession of a .12 bore pistol and five cartridges.

A reward of Rs 10,000 had been announced for Chand, who is facing 18 criminal cases, including murder, attempt to murder and the Arms Act violations. He has been declared a proclaimed offender in 11 of these cases.

Nishant has six criminal cases registered against him, while Manish is named in three. Police are verifying the criminal background of Sachin.

“A case has been registered against the four accused — Chand alias Chanda, Nishant, Manish and Sachin — under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Sector 27 police station,” said ACP Ajeet Singh.

The three accused were produced before a court, which sent them to four-day police custody, the officer added.