District-level cricketer nicknamed ‘Dhoni’ arrested by Delhi police for murder

Vijay, alias Dhoni, allegedly became a member of Gaurav Jhareda gang after failing to get into Delhi’s state cricket team

A budding cricketer who played played district-level cricket till 2011 and fondly known as ‘Dhoni’, 25-year-old Vijay Kumar travelled to neighbouring states of the capital to participate in club matches. He had adopted the look and hairstyle of his favourite cricketer MS Dhoni. However, after failing to get into Delhi’s state cricket team, Vijay joined his elder brother and became a member of Gaurav Jhareda gang, infamous for crimes in Delhi Cantonment area, police said.

Police said that Vijay and Vishal, along with their associates, had allegedly assaulted and murdered a man with iron rods and sticks on July 17, 2016. (FOR REPRESENTATION ONLY)

Vijay was arrested in Dwarka on Sunday for allegedly committing a murder in Delhi Cantonment area in 2016. His elder brother, Vishal, has also been held, DCP Dwarka Shibesh Singh said.

“Vijay played cricket regularly till 2011. He became famous as ‘Dhoni’ due to his long hairstyle. But he was not financially well-off. Cricket is expensive. Despite his efforts, Vijay could not enter the Delhi state team. He got frustrated. Then, he eventually built his body and joined his elder brother, who was already an active member of Gaurav Jhareda gang,” said Singh.

Police said that Vijay and Vishal, along with their associates, had allegedly assaulted and murdered a man with iron rods and sticks on July 17, 2016. Since then, both had been evading arrest for more than a year by changing their locations and mobile numbers.

The two brothers were nabbed on Sunday when the police received information that the duo would be coming near Dwarka Metro station. A trap was laid and the two men were held. Both are residents of Sadar Bazar.

The elder brother, Vishal, wanted to become a body builder but did not have enough money. He worked in a store in Tilak Nagar as a floor-in-charge from 2010 to 2012, but left the job due to insufficient salary and rejoined gym.

“Vishal came in contact with area gangster Gaurav Jhareda, who needed such strong-built boys. He soon started handling most of the criminal activities of the gang. He roped in his brother, Vijay alias Dhoni, who was unemployed and also had similar strong built,” said Singh.