The accused, identified as Atiq (26), was hiding there since June 22 (Monday) at a shanty that belongs to one of his old associates, Irfan Peti.
Based on a tip-off regarding Atiq’s suspected location received from Mumbai police, officials in north-east district of Delhi Police approached the best of their sources in and around Seelampur and came to know of Peti and four others. They were reportedly grilled all night and at last Atiq’s location was disclosed.
A team of five officials, led by the Station House Officer (SHO) of Zafrabad, rushed to the disclosed location and arrested Atiq at 12.30 pm. There was no confrontation reported between them, said <g data-gr-id="33">Veenu</g> Bansal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-East). Atiq is a native of Kanpur in Uttar <g data-gr-id="30">Pradesh</g> but he was residing at Malwani with his wife for several years.
“It is still to be probed as to how he got to know Peti. A separate case may be registered against Peti for providing shelter to Atiq, depending upon his knowledge of Atiq’s alleged crime. Till now everything is a matter of investigation,” Bansal added. By the time this report was filed, a team of Mumbai Police had left for Delhi. Once they arrive, they have to seek a transit remand from the Karkardooma court to take away Atiq with them.
Till Tuesday, Mumbai Police had arrested seven persons, including two women bootleggers, and detained around 20 others in connection with the hooch tragedy. The first set of accused who were arrested had disclosed the name of one Francis D’mello. When D’mello was interrogated after his arrest, he disclosed about Atiq, who had fled Mumbai by then, said a source. Delhi Police <g data-gr-id="34">are</g> also to probe whether Atiq’s himself or any of his associates are connected with hooch rackets in and around the national Capital.