SIT to probe encounter killing of Manoj Vashisht

Two days after the alleged encounter of a 45-year-old wanted criminal — Manoj Vashisht, Delhi Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. The decision came soon after the family of the deceased met Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday morning.  

Manoj was shot dead by a team of Delhi Police Special Cell on late Saturday evening at Sagar Ratna restaurant in central Delhi’s New Rajender Nagar area. Police claimed that the <g data-gr-id="42">shoot out</g> was a result of retaliation as Manoj first open fired on a cop and then the officer shot at him. However, the family cried foul and claimed it to be a fake encounter.  

On Monday, Priyanka, wife of Manoj met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who reportedly ordered a magisterial probe in the case. She also demanded that the CCTV footage of the restaurant must come in <g data-gr-id="39">public</g> domain to prove the incident as fake.  

The CCTV footage of the restaurant which is in possession with Millennium Post shows that after a policeman approached Manoj who was sitting with a group of men at the restaurant panicked. He tried to escape and also pulled out a pistol (licensed pistol). He further opened fired and within a fraction of second another officer in <g data-gr-id="43">civil</g> shot at him and the bullet hit him in the head.  

“The footage that is not in a very good quality has been sent for examination,” a senior police officer said. Meanwhile, BS Bassi said: “We have formed SIT and the aim of the team is very clear that <g data-gr-id="32">investigation</g> should be conducted on merits and at a priority basis.” 

Bassi, on Tuesday, also met Union Home Secretary LC Goyal and assured a speedy investigation.  

“Further course of action like whether to conduct a probe through CBI would be taken only after receiving the report of the SIT,” a Home Ministry official said.

According to a senior police official, Manoj had a licensed pistol and has set up companies such as RC Builders & Developers, RCS Finance Ltd., RC Property Ltd. and the like under the banner of RCS Group. 

“He has carried fraudulent acts and opened a company in the name of Wealth Care India and looted public money (more than Rs 3 crore). He had issued cheques that later bounced due to lack of funds. He extended threats to those who asked the money back and he often moved with 10-12 bouncers/shooters,” the officer said.