Gupta fake encounter case: two more cops arrested

A police inspector and a constable today were arrested in connection with the alleged fake encounter of Ramnarayan Gupta alias Lakhan Bhaiya, a close aide of gangster Chhota Rajan, after they surrendered before a sessions court.

A police inspector and a constable were arrested on Monday in connection with the alleged fake encounter of Ramnarayan Gupta alias Lakhan Bhaiya, a close aide of gangster Chhota Rajan, after they surrendered before a sessions court.

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Police inspector Dilip Palande and constable Prakash Kadam on Monday surrendered before the sessions court, which had on July 3 issued non bailable warrants against seven police officers including the duo for their alleged role in the fake encounter case.

"Palande and Kadam were part of the police team that gunned down Gupta. It was Palande who had shot at Gupta," special public prosecutor R N Mishra said.

Police have so far arrested 11 persons including suspended encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma and senior police inspector Pradeep Suryavanshi in the case.

Gupta was allegedly shot dead in an "encounter" by a police team headed by Sharma on November 11, 2006 in suburban Versova.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to probe the matter following a Bombay High Court directive on a petition filed by Gupta's advocate brother Ramprasad claiming that it was a fake encounter.