Latest news with #DelhiPoliceSpecialCell
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case: For how long can a person be kept in jail? asks Delhi HC as accused claims delay in trial
For how long can a person be kept in jail? A Delhi High Court bench orally remarked on Tuesday as it heard the bail plea of one of the accused in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case. The High Court noted that 'five years have gone by', and yet the arguments on the charge remain to be completed. The court was hearing the plea by Tasleem Ahmed, the owner of a coaching centre and a resident of South Delhi's Sangam Vihar. He was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell in June 2020 under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. A trial court had refused his bail plea last February, even as Ahmed had sought relief on the grounds of parity, given that three other accused in the same case — Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita, and Asif Tanha Iqbal — were granted bail. Taken up by a bench of Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar on Tuesday, advocate Mehmood Pracha, appearing for Ahmed, cited a delay in trial for seeking bail. Ahmed has already spent five years in jail, the counsel highlighted. After Ahmed's counsel pointed out that he has not delayed the trial and that he also completed his arguments on the charges in 10-15 minutes within a day, the bench, addressing Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad, inquired orally, 'Five years have gone…even arguments on the charge is not 700 witnesses, (for) how much time can a person be kept inside?' The court is due to hear the matter further on Wednesday. Earlier in January, another two-judge division bench of the High Court, while dealing with a bunch of bail pleas of the accused, including student activists Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, and others, the bench had orally inquired from the prosecution if only setting up a protest site is enough cause for attracting offences under UAPA. Apart from Ahmed, bail pleas of eight other accused, who have sought bail in the larger conspiracy case, are before the Delhi High Court. They are facing allegations of a pre-planned conspiracy to allegedly cause riots in Northeast Delhi between February 23 and February 25 in 2020. The accused have been booked for offences under the Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, Arms Act, and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and have been in jail for over five years now.
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Indian Express
Why gangster Shorab, who jumped parole, is a headache for Delhi and UP Police
The Delhi and Uttar Pradesh Police are currently on the lookout for 38-year-old gangster Shorab, who has gone missing after jumping parole last month. Granted parole to visit his wife in Lucknow, Shorab had been incarcerated in Tihar Jail since 2011. Shorab is the youngest of three brothers who allegedly committed a series of murders in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in early and late 2010. The trio allegedly orchestrated murders and contract killings from inside jail, the police alleged. According to Delhi Police officials, Shorab was granted parole by a Delhi court on June 28 and was supposed to return within three days. However, when officials visited his house in Lucknow, he was not there. Delhi Police officials said that they suspect that he may have fled towards Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh and have alerted the UP Special Task Force. Sources said that the authorities also suspect that Shorab may try to leave the country via Nepal. 3 brothers and their reign of terror Shorab and his elder brothers, Saleem and Rustom, who hail from Sadar Bazar in Lucknow, were involved in over two dozen criminal cases across Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, according to the police. They were arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell in 2011 in connection with a robbery-murder case. Recalling the reign of terror unleashed by the trio from Lucknow to Delhi, affecting everyone from businessmen to politicians, a senior Delhi Police officer said the brothers were known for their willingness to open fire without hesitation. According to Delhi Police records, Shorab has been named in 19 criminal cases, including charges of murder, attempted murder, dacoity and extortion, offences under the UP Gangsters and Goonda Acts, and the Arms Act. Of these, five cases were registered by the Delhi Police. Convicted in a 2011 daylight robbery and murder case One of the most daring crimes committed by the gang in Delhi was the murder of a jewellery shop owner in East Delhi's Krishna Nagar on February 22, 2011, according to Delhi Police records. Along with four associates, the trio carried out a daylight robbery and shot dead the shop owner, Gaurav Gambhir, when he resisted their attempt. They then fled the scene with the stolen jewellery. The three brothers were arrested shortly after, following a brief encounter near Vishwas Nagar in East Delhi. At the time, Rustom was riding a motorcycle, while Shorab and their elder brother Saleem were in a car, allegedly en route to target another victim. The police had claimed to have recovered a .32 pistol and a 9mm pistol from them. The court later convicted them in the case. A police officer said the brothers would often commit crimes together. They recruited unemployed youth and coerced them into joining their gang, which mostly comprised members from Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, he said. 'At the time of their arrest, the brothers were among the most wanted criminals on the UP Police's list. The Delhi Police had also announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for each of them. Saleem was facing 30 criminal cases, while both his younger brothers were involved in 19 cases each,' the officer added. In Delhi, the brothers were involved in a spree of robberies and snatchings across East Delhi areas, including Preet Vihar, Anand Vihar, Krishna Nagar, Dilshad Garden, and Vivek Vihar, till 2011. In Delhi Police records, they were notorious for their daylight robberies, while the Uttar Pradesh Police referred to them as 'serial killers'. According to police records, the brothers began their criminal careers as teenagers. In 2005, they allegedly killed three people within 90 minutes in Lucknow's Hussainganj, Khadra, and Madiaon areas, in retaliation for the murder of their brother. Before the killings, they allegedly called the then district police chief, daring him to stop them. The trio were also accused of murdering the nephew of former MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq in Lucknow. They had also allegedly killed a social worker, Saifi, in daylight in Lucknow's Wazirganj area. Later, they shifted their area of operation towards western UP and eventually, Delhi. In 2013, while lodged in jail, they allegedly orchestrated the killing of a municipal councillor, Pappu Pandey, in the Aminabad area of Lucknow. Caught getting VIP treatment in custody In 2019, Shorab was caught along with his wife and sister in a hotel room in Lucknow while being escorted by a team of Delhi Police officials from the Third Battalion for a court appearance in Kanpur. The six escorting police personnel, led by an assistant sub-inspector, were found resting in another hotel room while Shorab met his family. The Delhi Police later suspended all the officers involved for dereliction of duty. The Lucknow police also registered a separate FIR and arrested Shorab for this act. Officials said that due to their notoriety, the trio were often produced in court via video conferencing. Officials also revealed that the brothers feared the Uttar Pradesh Police would kill them in an encounter. It is now suspected that Shorab may not have gone to Lucknow after being granted parole, and probably fled immediately after his release from Tihar Jail.
India Gazette
07-07-2025
- India Gazette
Delhi Police nab three Gogi Gang members in Rohini firing case, one minor included
New Delhi [India], July 7(ANI): In a breakthrough, the Delhi Police Special Cell on Monday arrested two members of the notorious Gogi Gang and apprehended a minor in connection with a recent firing incident in Rohini. The accused, identified as Umesh Sharma (21) and Sunil alias Sunny (22), along with a Child in Conflict with Law (CCL), were found in possession of illegal firearms and live cartridges. According to officials, the trio was wanted in connection with a firing incident that occurred on June 9 in Sector 16, Rohini, under the jurisdiction of the K.N. Katju Marg police station. Multiple rounds were fired at vehicles parked outside a residence, allegedly to intimidate locals on behalf of the gang. The operation began on June 13 when a team from the Trans Yamuna Range received specific inputs regarding the movement of Umesh Sharma, who was reportedly carrying illegal arms and expected to arrive in the Tikri Khurd area. Acting swiftly, the team laid a trap near Tikri Khurd village road and apprehended Sharma. A semi-automatic pistol and four live cartridges were recovered from him. Police also seized a motorcycle allegedly used in the Rohini firing. During questioning, Sharma revealed that he, along with Chirag alias Kala, Sunny, and the minor, had carried out the attack. Based on his statement, the CCL involved in the case was also apprehended. Efforts to track down the remaining accused continued, and on June 27, police received another tip-off about Sunny's presence in the Kalam Chowk area of Narela. A trap was laid, and he was arrested with a semi-automatic pistol and two live cartridges. Another motorcycle used in the firing was also recovered. Police said that further investigation is underway. (ANI)
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- India Gazette
Two criminals accused of murder shot in Delhi's Narela, says police
New Delhi [India], July 5 (ANI): Two criminals accused in a murder case were injured in an encounter with Delhi police special cell in the Narela area, following which they were hospitalised, Delhi police said in a statement on Saturday. 'The accused were asked to surrender, but they opened fire on the police party', police said. Delhi Police Special Cell had an encounter with two criminals in the Narela area. The accused criminals had recently committed a murder in Rohtak, Haryana, police said. Special Cell Northern Range got information about these criminals being in Delhi, after which a trap was laid in Narela area, police said. 'After this, the police shot them in their legs. Both the criminals are in hospital, after which they will be questioned', Delhi police said in its statement. Meanwhile, on July 4, unidentified bike-borne gunmen shot dead their rival in the Najafgarh area of the national capital. The deceased has been identified as Neeraj Tehlan, who was reportedly involved in several criminal cases in the past and was carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh on his head. He was also a key witness in the high-profile Najafgarh double murder case of February 2024. Tehlan was attacked while he was sitting inside a car. Two to three bike-borne assailants opened multiple rounds of fire at him before fleeing the scene, police said. The police suspect that the murder may have been orchestrated by gangster Harsh Dhanakad, alias Chintu, who was recently deported from abroad, and Sanjay alias Sanju Dahiya, a known criminal currently based overseas. Police have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation. CCTV footage from the vicinity is being reviewed to identify the attackers. Last week, gangster Kapil Sangwan's shooters murdered Deepak, the nephew of notorious Manjeet Mahal. Deepak's daughter was also shot at in the melee. Deepak was shot dead on June 27 in a planned attack during his morning walk in Delhi's Bawana area. (ANI)
The Print
26-06-2025
- The Print
Behind the chaos in liquor vend auctions in Haryana, gangsters, threats and a murder
An excise and taxation official confirmed that despite having completed five rounds of auctions, they have not been able to find bidders for nearly 260 outlets across 20 districts. Yamunanagar is the worst hit, where 45 out of 55 liquor zones have received no bids. The other districts where the problem is pronounced are Jind, Rohtak, Kurukshetra and Karnal. The excise and taxation department, which has so far allotted only 934 of 1,200 liquor zones, is grappling with a significant shortfall in revenue due to the reluctance of bidders. Gurugram: A wave of violent attacks and extortion threats targeting liquor contractors has plunged Haryana's liquor vend auctions into chaos, with nearly 260 outlets across 20 districts yet to find bidders, threatening the state's ambitious excise revenue target of Rs 14,063.91 crore for 2025–26. The attacks on those in the liquor business, including the murder of liquor contractor Shantanu in Kurukshetra on 13 June, has instilled fear among traders, prompting the Haryana government to launch an aggressive crackdown on organised crime to restore confidence in the auction process. The murder of Shantanu, a Jhajjar resident who recently purchased 18 liquor vends worth Rs 19 crore, and a subsequent attack on a contractor's residence in Yamunanagar have been linked to the Kala Rana-Noni Rana gang, which has been using henchmen and social media to intimidate bidders. #WATCH | Delhi | Gunshots heard at encounter site where wanted criminal, Romil Vohra was killed in an encounter with Delhi Police Special Cell at Delhi-Haryana border today. Two police personnel were also injured during the encounter The criminal, who was killed, had murdered a… — ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2025 On 20 June, liquor contractor Virender Singh, also known as Binder, was shot dead in Jind's Kharkaramji village. A gangster aide of Lawrence Bishnoi, Rohit Godara, claimed responsibility on social media, but the Jind superintendent of police said the murder was likely due to a long-standing personal rivalry with the Rathee gang. Dismissing Godara's claim as a 'publicity stunt', he said the killing was not directly linked to liquor business disputes. Before this, miscreants fired at liquor vends at Rohtak and Yamunanagar, and some vendors received threats. Also Read: Gangs of Rohtak are Haryana's most feared. Run by a Bhau in US & a Baba in jail 'High-octane drive' against gangsters Addressing the crisis in a high-level review meeting last week, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed concern over Shantanu's killing and directed Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur to initiate a 'high-octane drive' against gangsters. 'Not a single gangster should remain active in the state,' Saini declared, emphasising that robust law and order is the government's top priority. He ordered the strengthening of the State Task Force (STF) with additional manpower and resources and mandated immediate security for citizens reporting threats or extortion calls. In a video posted on his 'X' handle on 19 June, Saini said, 'We have given the police a free hand to ensure that no mafia, gangster, or criminal running an organized crime syndicate is spared. Such anti-social elements should be eliminated through mission-mode operations, so that an atmosphere of peace and harmony can be established in society.' Days later, on 24 June, Haryana Police, in a joint operation with Delhi Police's Special Cell, gunned down Romil Vohra, a sharpshooter of the Kala Rana-Noni Rani gang, in an encounter near the Delhi-Haryana border. Vohra, wanted in multiple cases, including Shantanu's murder and a triple murder in Yamunanagar, carried a Rs 3.1 lakh reward. The BJP's Haryana unit hailed the operation on social media, signalling a tough stance against criminal networks. However, contractors in the liquor business remain wary, citing persistent threats to stay away from auctions. The problem is more severe in Yamunanagar. Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Dr. Sumita Misra, on 24 June, chaired a law-and-order review meeting with Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Superintendents of Police (SPs) and District Excise and Taxation Commissioners from Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Jind, Hisar, Rohtak, Karnal and Ambala. She urged potential bidders to participate without fear, assuring them of 'full administrative support and security'. Misra directed police and intelligence agencies to profile habitual troublemakers, maintain surveillance on suspicious movements, and deploy additional forces and video surveillance in vulnerable zones. She warned that any laxity by officials would invite strict departmental action, emphasising the 'non-negotiable' integrity of the auction process. Misra also instructed DCs and SPs to hold direct dialogues with bidders to address their concerns, reinforcing the state's zero-tolerance policy toward interference. (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Also Read: Why Haryana govt has approved withdrawal of 8,600 govt job ads & what it will mean for aspirants
