Rajbir plotted murders,asked Manish to help,say police

A day after two persons went on a shooting spree in Northwest Delhi’s Swaroop Nagar area,killing three and injuring three others,investigations have revealed that one of the gunmen — Rajbir Sharma — had plotted the murders,police said. Investigations also revealed the two harboured grudges against their targets,police said.

“Rajbir had befriended Manish — the other gunman — five months ago and convinced Manish to help him carry out the murders. The two men procured the guns through their contacts in the transport business (Rajbir owned a transport firm) and a barber,who is absconding,” one of the officers investigating the case said.

On Friday evening,Rajbir and Manish had shot at Rajbir’s elder brother Krishan Sharma,two women — Jyoti and Usha — Rajbir’s wife Pooja and his two daughters Khushi and Rashi.

While Jyoti,Usha and Khushi died,the others have been admitted to LN Hospital.

Later,the two turned the gun on themselves. Rajbir died,while Manish is in a critical condition at LN Hospital.

Police said Manish was Usha’s — one of the victims — neighbour. “Rajbir befriended Manish to seek his help in convincing Usha to marry Rajbir. Rajbir had an extra-marital affair with Usha,a private school teacher,” the officer said.

Usha’s family,however,denied this. “Usha was a brilliant student. She wasn’t involved with Rajbir,” Usha’s father Roshan Yadav said.

Police said Manish and Rajbir often met at a barber shop below Manish’s house to discuss their plans. “The barber, who was from UP,offered to source firearms for them. Rajbir also sourced weapons through his transport contacts,” the officer said.

Police said Rajbir could have murdered his elder brother Krishan Sharma over a property dispute. “Krishan and their parents lived on the first floor of Rajbir’s house in D block. However,Rajbir fell out with his parents and elder brother as he felt cheated of his rightful share in the property. So Krishan moved out with the parents to a house in an adjacent block. This too was unacceptable to Rajbir who went into depression,” the officer said.

“Manish,who was unemployed,fell in love with Jyoti – another of the victims — who was his neighbour and wanted to marry her. However,Jyoti and her family refused as Manish was unemployed,police said. “Jyoti got engaged to a resident of Uttam Nagar and this angered Manish,” the officer said.