Drive-by shooting in Dwarka claims gangster, aide

New Delhi: A 38-year-old gangster and his associate were shot dead on the streets of Dwarka's Bamnoli village on Wednesday morning, with police suspecting that property dispute was the motive for the double murder.

Police said the deceased were identified as Sandeep alias Mental and his associate Pawan Maan alias Ponny, both natives of Haryana.

The duo was attacked by a group of armed assailants, who reportedly trailed the vehicle of the deceased were travelling in. They were shot in the face and shoulder.

According to police, the incident came to light after a PCR call was received regarding the shooting at Bamnoli village, at 9.30 am.

A police team reached the spot and both of the victims were rushed to the hospital, where they were declared brought dead.

Sandeep and Pawan were traveling in a Swift car, passing through Bamnoli en route to Dwarka Sector -0. Trailing the two men was another car, with around three-four men, who opened fire at them.

After the barrage of bullets struck the victims' car, it crashed into a signboard near the Government Co-Ed Senior Secondary school. The assailants went on to fire more rounds on the car and then fled the spot.

Passersby and nearby residents hid to save themselves and after the accused fled, they called the cops.

Both the victims were found bleeding profusely inside the car.

Shahid, an eyewitness, told police that both the men were shot in the face and Pawan was found bleeding from the jaw.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Shibesh Singh said they are investigating all angles and soon will crack the case. "We suspect the matter of property dispute and, recently, one dispute was reported from Pochanpur," he said.

Acquaintances of the deceased told cops the names of possible suspects. "The investigation is in a preliminary stage. All these claims will be verified," Singh added.

A case has been registered under section 302 of the IPC at Dwarka Sector-23 police station. CCTV footage of the spot is also being shown to Sandeep's associates to ascertain the identity of the accused.

Investigators who are probing the murder of gangster Sandeep alias Mental and his associate Pawan Maan alias Ponny are looking into the angles of past property disputes and enmity of the deceased men with other gangs which are active in South West and Dwarka area.

Delhi Police on Wednesday claimed Sandeep had recently been involved in a property dispute, over a plot of land in Kochanpur area in Dwarka district.

"The deceased was having some building constructed when the dispute with his partner occurred. The investigation is going from all angles. Sandeep's past records are also bein scanned," said cops.

Police sources further claimed that there are only five per cent chances that the murder was over turf domination. Investigation also revealed that since 2012, Sandeep had been involved in many property disputes in Najafgarh area, as a result of which he made many enemies.

"Around four to five gangs had a rivalry with the deceased," said a police officer, who further claimed that in one such property dispute case in 2012, Sandeep had crossed roads with a notorious gang.

Sandeep reportedly was so influential that his associates, who were locked up, easily ran land grabbing operations.

In one such case, the Delhi Police Crime Branch busted a land-grab racket being run from Tihar jail and arrested two member's of Sandeep's gang in 2014.

Investigators further claimed that a few years ago, he was arrested again but later released on bail.

Cops have also not ruled out an enmity case which emerged when Sandeep was arrested in 2016 by South West District police. He was hunting for members of another gang who reportedly murdered his associates in Najafgarh.

Sandeep's role was also under scrutiny after a member of a dreaded crime syndicate escaped from police custody after his accomplices threw chili powder on police guards who had accompanying the man to a hospital in Daryaganj.

The criminal who escaped was suspected to be a associate of Sandeep.