Shooter in wine contractor’s murder case killed in encounter

Wanted criminal Romil Vohra, one of the shooters involved in the murder case of wine contractor Shantanu, was killed in an encounter near the Haryana-Delhi border during a joint operation of the STF Haryana and Counter Intelligence Special Cell of Delhi on Tuesday.

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Vohra, a resident of Yamunanagar, was carrying a reward of Rs 3 lakh on his head. Shantanu was shot in Shahabad on June 13 near a market along the national highway. The second shooter in the case, identified as Sujal, has already been arrested by the STF (Ambala).

Vikrant Bhushan, SP (STF Haryana), said a tip-off was received last night regarding the movement and whereabouts of Vohra by the STF Haryana. He was heading towards Delhi from the Faridabad-Gurugram route reportedly to commit a crime.

“A team was formed by the STF central unit incharge, led by Sub-Inspector Rakesh Kumar, along with the officials of the STF unit, Karnal. The information was shared with the Counter Intelligence Special Cell Delhi and a strategy was chalked out and joint check posts were set up at probable exit points on the Haryana-Delhi route. Inspector Manjeet Singh and his team from the Counter Intelligence Special Cell Delhi joined the operation,” he added.

In the early hours, attempts were made to apprehend Vohra, but he tried to escape, and opened fire at the police, in which two Sub-Inspectors sustained injuries. Vohra was also injured. They were rushed to a nearby hospital, where Vohra was declared dead. As per the preliminary report, 25 to 30 rounds were fired.

Vohra was a hard-core criminal against whom eight cases were registered, including Kheri Lakkha Singh triple murder case and extortion. Ten more accused have been arrested in the connection with the Shantanu murder case so far. Five of the accused, including a juvenile, were arrested on June 23 and 24, and have been identified as Prabhjot Singh, Ikshan Singh, Mohit Kumar, and Deepender Pal.

“The arrested accused were involved in recce, providing logistic support and arms. Further investigation is. Romil was associated with some foreign-based handlers,” Bhushan informed, adding that the STF had been taking action against their foreign-based associates. Over the last two years, nine such people had been deported and extradited through legal action. Young children were helping such criminals in logistics and finances, he said.

Regarding the involvement of Kala Rana gang in the murder, the SP said the matter was still under investigation.

Meanwhile, Kurukshetra SP Nitish Agarwal said a close watch was being kept on social media handles and appealed to youngsters to stay away from the handles of criminals else action would be initiated.