Delhi Police bust extortion racket in Shahdara, arrest 3 men

The shooters, both wearing helmets, fled after firing one or two rounds, while a third man stood nearby with his face covered.

A case was registered under sections 324(6) (mischief), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), and 3(5) (common intent) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with section 27 of the Arms Act.

“With the help of various sources, information about the suspects was gathered. With sincere efforts and coordination, our teams identified three accused – Zaheer, Farukh and Salman – and apprehended them,” said Prashant Gautam, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shahdara.

The police added that the three were produced before a court, which granted them two days of custody.

During police custody, Zaheer was taken to Yamuna Khadar near Geeta Colony for weapon recovery.

“The location was a very remote area, and during the late night hour, visibility was very poor. A pistol and two live cartridges were recovered from there. During this process, Zaheer attempted to snatch an officer’s pistol kept on the left side of his waistband,” said DCP Gautam.

“A scuffle ensued, during which the accused continued his attempt to snatch the pistol despite repeated warnings from the Inspector. Considering the imminent threat that the accused could escape or open fire at the police team, the inspector was compelled to fire at him. A single shot hit Zaheer’s right leg,” he added.

The police also recovered a motorcycle and a mobile phone used in the crime.

A separate case under BNS sections 221, 132, and 121(1) has been registered at the Geeta Colony Police Station.

During interrogation, the police found that a bookie, Sachin, demanded Rs 30 lakh from Bunty Arora in October. When the demand went unanswered, Sachin allegedly instructed Zaheer to fire at Arora’s house to intimidate him.

Zaheer, along with his associates Faizan, Farukh, and Salman, carried out the firing and fled the scene.

The accused also disclosed that they were directed to conduct similar shootings at Cigar Bar in GTB Enclave and SOSO Bar in Preet Vihar, but were arrested before they could execute those plans.

The police said Zaheer, 29, a resident of Vishwas Nagar, has six previous cases against him. They added Farukh, 26, and Salman, 30, both residents of Chauhan Banger, who have nine and six previous cases, respectively.

Efforts are on to trace the main conspirator, Sachin, and other members of the extortion network, they added.

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