The Hindu : New Delhi News : ‘Contract killer’ arrested

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Sunday, Dec 28, 2008
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New Delhi

‘Contract killer’ arrested

Staff Reporter

Accused of killing a financier in Pitampura

NEW DELHI: An alleged contract killer who had shot dead a financier at Pitampura in the Capital a week ago for a consideration of Rs.10 lakh has been arrested by the Inter-State Cell of the Delhi Police Crime Branch. The police claim to have seized from him a pistol of Italian make and a motorcycle used in the crime.

Acting on a tip-off that Hari Prakash, who was suspected to be involved in the murder of Dhanpat Rai in Rohini, would pass by Narela-G.T. Karnal Road on a motorcycle, a police team laid a trap and arrested him on Friday. During interrogation, he purportedly confessed to having murdered Dhanpat Rai at the instance of Satish and Pawan Bajaj.

Hari Prakash told the interrogators that he was previously arrested in a murder case and remained behind bars for about six years. After his release, he started dealing in property. In due course, he came across Satish and Pawan. About a month ago, they purportedly told Hari Prakash that Dhanpat Rai had been pestering them to repay a loan of Rs.1.5 crore.

According to the police, the three hatched a conspiracy to eliminate Dhanpat Rai. Satish and Pawan allegedly bought a new motorcycle and a firearm for Hari Prakash and offered him Rs.10 lakh for the job. On the fateful day, Hari Prakash and his accomplice chased the financier’s car.

While pillion-riding, Hari Prakash fired five rounds at Dhanpat Rai soon after he stopped his car near a vegetable market on Outer Ring Road. The victim died on the spot.

The Crime Branch has shared the information with the district police, who have launched a hunt for Satish. They are also trying to verify the involvement of Pawan.

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