Repeat offenders arrested after two-month surveillance operation in northeast Delhi

Police said Rahul has a criminal record spanning over 20 cases. Representational pic

The Delhi Police have arrested two repeat offenders linked to the Satender alias Baba gang for allegedly threatening witnesses to prevent them from testifying in court, officials said on Monday, news agency PTI reported.

The accused, identified as Rahul alias Amit (38) from Gokalpur, and Mohit alias Lala (22) from Nand Nagri, were nabbed after a two-month surveillance operation.

The police recovered a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, six live cartridges, and a scooter used in the crimes, reported PTI.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, Rahul, a known criminal from Gokalpuri Police Station limits, was wanted in a case at Loni Border Police Station, Ghaziabad, for allegedly threatening and attacking the son of a prosecution witness in a 2014 assault case. The attack was reportedly aimed at preventing the witness's mother from testifying before the Karkardooma Court in September.

Acting on a tip-off that Rahul and his aide would meet gang members near IHBAS Hospital, Dilshad Garden, the police laid a trap in the Nand Nagri area and arrested the duo on November 3.

The police said Rahul has a criminal record spanning over 20 cases, including murder, attempt to murder, robbery, dacoity, and offences under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). His associate Mohit, who works as a party decorator, allegedly helped with logistics and planning for the gang.

Both are said to be drug addicts and have ties with several notorious gangs in northeast Delhi, officers added. A case under the Arms Act has been registered, and further investigation is underway to trace the source of the weapons and identify other associates of the gang, PTI reported.

Mastermind of vehicle-theft gang held in Delhi; three stolen SUVs recovered

The alleged mastermind behind a network of vehicle thieves, known as the 'Hakla Ghoda' gang, has been arrested in Delhi and three stolen SUVs have been recovered from him, police said on Monday.

The accused, Mukesh (41), is a resident of Baba Colony in Sonipat, Haryana, and went by many aliases: Vicky, Paji and Hakla. He has been previously involved in more than 60 cases of motor vehicle theft and burglary across Delhi and its neighbouring states, said officers.

Based on a tip-off about a wanted car-lifter who had recently stolen a SUV from Punjabi Bagh area, police laid a trap on the service lane of Rohtak Road between Madipur and Shivaji Park metro stations around 2.15 am last week, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Sharad Bhaskar Darade said.

Subsequently, a man driving a SUV was intercepted after he tried to flee the spot when asked to stop. The car was found to be stolen from Shalimar Bagh, police said.

Following his arrest, police recovered two more stolen SUV vehicles from different locations at the instance of the accused. A number plate of a stolen SUV was also seized.

Police said Mukesh had been an active auto-lifter since 2011 and had formed a network of thieves known as the 'Hakla Ghoda' gang, operating mainly in Delhi, Sonipat, and Panipat.

(With PTI inputs)