Crime Branch kills dacoit in encounter

Ashok Parihar alias Ashok Yeda (40), a dacoit wanted in at least 10 different offences including murder, was shot dead by Unit II of the Crime Branch on Saturday morning.

Ashok Parihar alias Ashok Yeda (40), a dacoit wanted in at least 10 different offences including murder, was shot dead by Unit II of the Crime Branch on Saturday morning.

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“He had many cases including murder and extortion against him,” Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), Deven Bharti, said.

Senior Police Inspector (Unit II), Dinesh Ahir, said Parihar was an active member of the Pandav Putra gang, which is allegedly involved in several cases of robbery, dacoity and extortion.

“The gang has been active mainly in South Mumbai,” Ahir said.

The police received information that Parihar will be visiting the Opera House area on Friday night.

“He was with an accomplice. They fired at the police when they were challenged,” Ahir said.

The police found a 7.62 mm gun and three live cartridges from the spot. Parihar’s accomplice managed to flee.

Parihar hailed from Madhya Pradesh and had been living in Mumbai for 10 years.

“He has a place in Kamathipura, but also stayed in Navi Mumbai and Nallasopara,” Ahir said.

The police suspect Parihar could be involved in the killing of a member of the Republican Party of India in south Mumbai last week.