Mewati kingpin arrested

Eight months after a Delhi Police head constable was shot dead by a gang of Mewati cattle lifters in southwest Delhi, the crime branch of Delhi police on Tuesday arrested the kingpin of the gang.

Eight months after a Delhi Police head constable was shot dead by a gang of Mewati cattle lifters in southwest Delhi, the crime branch of Delhi police on Tuesday arrested the kingpin of the gang.

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A cash reward of Rs. 50,000 was declared, police said.

Shakir, 22, was arrested from CPWD Colony in Vasant Vihar by a team of the special unit of crime branch after they received a tip-off about his movements in the area.

One country-made pistol, two live cartridges and one stolen motorcycle were recovered from him, the police said.

Ravindra Yadav, additional CP (crime branch), said Shakir was held after head constable Yashpal Singh, posted with the Mehrauli police station, was shot dead by Mewati criminals on August 23 last year when he resisted their attempt to steal cattle from Baba Haridas Nagar locality.

"He is known to be the kingpin of Mewati gangs and involved in various heinous cases including murder of a Delhi Police head constable. Five Mewati members of the gang were earlier arrested for involvement in the case, but Shakir, who played an 'active role' in the murder, was evading arrest by constantly changing hideouts," said Yadav.

During interrogation, police claimed, Shakir told them that he had been associated with various dreaded Mewati gangs, involved in various robberies, attempt to murder, assault on police parties and thefts.