New Delhi

Delhi Police has arrested four alleged members of an inter-state criminal gang linked to a notorious Uttar Pradesh-based syndicate for attempting to rob a jewellery trader in southwest Delhi's Kapashera area. Among those arrested is a wanted criminal carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh, officials said on Wednesday.

The accused have been identified as Sunil (40), Joginder alias Mukesh (37), Guljar (39) and Abhishek alias Chitta (22). Police said the four are believed to be associated with the notorious Subham Pandit gang.

The arrests were made on June 14 following an extensive investigation. Police recovered Rs 11 lakh in cash, firearms and ammunition from the accused.

According to investigators, the robbery attempt occurred on the night of April 19 when a jewellery trader from Haryana's Samalkha was returning home after closing his shop. He was carrying approximately 3.5 kilograms of silver jewellery, estimated to be worth between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 8 lakh, in a bag on his scooter.

Police said the trader was intercepted near a temple in Kapashera by two men who allegedly caused him to lose control of his vehicle and fall. One of the attackers reportedly pointed a country-made pistol at him while attempting to snatch the jewellery bag, while another assaulted him using the butt of a firearm.

During the struggle, one of the weapons fell onto the road. The commotion attracted local residents, who rushed to the scene and attempted to stop the assailants by throwing bricks and stones.

Despite the resistance, the suspects managed to escape on a motorcycle. Police alleged that one of them fired a shot into the air to disperse the crowd before fleeing.

Based on the victim's complaint, a case was registered and investigators recovered a loaded country-made pistol and an empty cartridge from the scene.

During the course of the investigation, police identified Sunil, a history-sheeter from Uttar Pradesh, along with his associate Joginder. After nearly two months of surveillance and intelligence operations across Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, Joginder was arrested in Gautam Budh Nagar.

Information provided during his interrogation led police to Sunil, who was apprehended in Palwal, Haryana. Officers recovered a country-made pistol and live ammunition from him.

Subsequent raids resulted in the seizure of Rs 11 lakh in cash, another firearm and ammunition from a rented property allegedly used by the gang.

Police later arrested Guljar in Hapur and detained Abhishek in Karnal.

Investigators revealed that Sunil has a long criminal record involving more than 17 cases, including murder, robbery, dacoity and violations of the Arms Act. Joginder has allegedly been involved in 12 criminal cases, while Abhishek faces allegations in five separate cases.

During questioning, the accused reportedly disclosed that Guljar had conducted surveillance on the trader and supplied details about his routine and movements before the attempted robbery was executed.

Police also stated that three of the accused were wanted in a robbery case registered in Shikohabad, Uttar Pradesh, while Sunil and Joginder were also being sought in an extortion case in Faridabad, where a ransom demand of Rs 5 crore had allegedly been made.

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Further investigation into the gang's activities and possible involvement in other crimes is underway.