The Hindustan Times, September 15, 1999
Political connection of criminals
New Delhi, September 14 (HT Correspondent)
The suspects in yesterday's gang war, in which two persons of rival groups were gunned down, may have escaped into a neighbouring State. What is more, the police's efforts to nab them may prove extremely difficult, considering that these suspects reportedly enjoy political patronage.
When Krishan Pehalwan, the leader of one of the gangs involved, was arrested by the police last year, he had reportedly told the police about sons of two politicians who had helped him. During questioning, Krishan had reportedly said that he had been provided safe hiding places in Chandigarh and Solan, Himachal Pradesh, by the sons of influential Haryana and Punjab politicians. At the time the police had stated that action would be initiated against the accused, however, none was taken.
The role the gangs play in Delhi politics was again highlighted last year when Ved Singh alias Laloo Pehalwan, the Samata Party candidate, was shot dead. Investigations had revealed the involvement of Anup, Krishan Pehalwan's rival gang leader.
Another difficulty the police have encountered is the identifying of the main active members of both the gangs. Both Krishan and Anup are in jail and are believed to be controlling their gang members from there.
Police officials believe that while Naresh alias Kala is heading the operations for Anup, Kapil is looking after matters for Krishan. Naresh has several cases against him, including the murder of Devender, a coach in Rohtak University. He also allegedly killed a witness in the case. Kapil is Balwan's son.
Over the years, the rivalry between Anup and Krishan gangs have claimed eleven lives, including those of Anup's elder brother Balraj. Yesterday's killings have raised the tally to 13. Incidentally, both victims yesterday, Kuldip Ghelot (21) and Yashpal Singh (17), were not involved in any criminal activities. It appears that they were targeted solely because they are related to gang leaders.
The police today recovered the vehicle used by Kuldip's killers, a Maruti car DL-4C/C-4361. The vehicle was found to be stolen and the registration plates were fake. Police officials said that it appears that the killers used two vehicles and abandoned the stolen one after committing the murder.
The police said that while Kuldip's killers used a 7.62 mm weapon, Yashpal was shot with a .38 revolver. Both victims were shot as many as five times.
Meanwhile, several police teams have been dispatched to suspected hideouts in Delhi and neighbouring State. The police have also found the statements made by the victim's relatives to be misleading. Police officials said that the relatives wanted the actual killers to stay out of prison and were thus naming innocent people.
The idea was to kill the murderers, which would be extremely difficult if they were arrested and sent to prison.
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