Three more held in Rohini court shootout, police say ‘wrong person murdered’

DAYS AFTER an undertrial was shot dead inside the Rohini court complex and the shooter was arrested from the spot, Delhi Police on Thursday evening arrested three more persons in connection with the murder. Investigation has revealed that the men had come to the court complex to allegedly eliminate Rajesh Bawania, a rival of gangster Neeraj Bawana. Instead, they killed Vinod alias Ballu, another undertrial, mistakenly.

Police said the arrested three have been identified as Deepu, Sonu and Monu – all members of Neeraj Bawana’s gang. Sources said that Bawana, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail, had asked them to eliminate Rajesh Bawania since he was the only remaining rival that he had.

His other arch-rival Neetu Dabodia was killed in an encounter with Delhi Police special cell in 2012. On August 26, 2015, Neeraj and his associates also killed two of his other rivals – Vikram Paras and Pradeep Bhola. “Neeraj was trying to reign supreme in the crime world, and Rajesh was his only opponent,” a police source said.

Earlier this week, the police had said that one Abdul Khan was arrested from the spot of the crime for gunning down Vinod. During questioning, Khan told police that he considers Neeraj Bawana as his mentor and has tattooed his name on his chest. He also claimed that he killed Vinod at the behest of an associate of Neeraj Bawana.

Rajesh, sources said, had established himself in NCR. “Rajesh was in jail since his arrest in 2014. He, too, was supposed to be at Rohini court the same day as Vinod to attend a hearing in a robbery case registered at Samaypur Badli police station. He, however, was late to enter the court premises,” sources said.

Sources also said the the gunman, Khan, entered the court complex through the common entrance gate after proper frisking while the other accused entered the court in a car with the weapon through the gate from where advocates enter.