Auto-lifter Bakkarwala's aide arrested from Aligarh

The Delhi Police on Friday claimed to have arrested a close associate of infamous jailed auto-lifter Manoj Bakkarwala from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh.

The Delhi Police on Friday claimed to have arrested a close associate of infamous jailed auto-lifter Manoj Bakkarwala from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh.

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The police said Vinod Kumar alias Balia was heading the Bakkarwala gang after the latter was arrested by the Delhi Police in January.

Balia carried a cash reward of Rs. 50,000 on his apprehension, the police said.

Additional CP (crime) Ashok Chand said that Balia had fired at a team of the crime branch in October 2011 when the car he was in, along with Bakkarwala and other associates, was intercepted by the police party near Delhi Secretariat.

"Balia, who is an excellent driver, was behind the wheels when they were cornered by the police team. But the two managed to escape after firing at the team.

Bakkarwala was, however, arrested in January this year whereas Balia continued evading the law," said Chand, adding that Balia is from Aligarh and is involved in 13 cases of robbery and carjacking in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

According to Chand, Balia was nabbed following a tip-off received by a team of the Special Cell that after Bakkarwala's arrest, Balia had started heading his gang and was trying to reorganise it.

Balia, a school dropout, entered the world of crime in 2003 when he along with his cousin Kaptan Singh allegedly tried to kill someone. He was booked under the provisions of Gangster Act in 2007.

"He came in contact with Bakkarwala and, after his escape from jail, Bakkarwala met Balia who provided him shelter. Balia then joined hands with Bakkarwala and committed several robberies and carjackings in Delhi and NCR," added Chand.