Special Cell nabs wanted gangster Pradeep Rana

NEW DELHI: The Special Cell of Delhi Police on Friday arrested notorious gangster Pradeep Rana, after a brief encounter at DND Flyway.

Police said that 35-year-old Rana, alias Kala, was a notorious gangster, extortionist and contract killer.

Rana was carrying a reward of Rs one lakh for his role in a kidnapping case at Vijay Vihar police station.

An English pistol of .32 bore, two sophisticated revolvers, along with three live cartridges and a fired cartridge have been recovered from his possession, police said.

"Pradeep Rana is a notorious contract killer and already involved in five criminal cases, three murder cases of Delhi and two cases of Arms Act in Delhi and Haryana.

Rana, along with his associates, are involved in committing kidnapping for ransom, contract killing and extortion from cable operators, bookies, property dealers," said DCP Special cell P S Kushwah.

The officer said that Special Cell had started collecting information about Rana for a while, and several sources were deployed to locate him.

Their efforts bore fruit on Friday, when Special cell received tip-off about Rana's movement on DND flyway.

"A trap was laid at DND flyway and around 5 pm, a motorcycle came from towards Ring Road, which was identified to be driven by Rana. It was intercepted and Rana was apprehended.

"A case under appropriate sections has been registered in this regard and investigation of the case is underway," said the DCP.

During interrogation, Rana revealed that during incarceration in Rohini Jail, he came in contact with Mohit Chhabra and Paramjeet Dalal, who were lodged in different cases.

In January 2016, Rana came out on parole in two cases of murders. After a while, Chhabra and Dalal also were released on parole and they contacted him.

The three then came together and decided to kidnap Ram Pratap, a realtor, and released him after taking ransom money of Rs 26 lakh.