Former boxing champ held for helping undertrial escape

: The Delhi Police have arrested a former national-level boxer for allegedly attacking policemen and helping an undertrial escape from police custody while he was being taken to a Haryana court on July 30.

The accused, Deepak Pahal alias Boxer (21), was a lightweight national champion in 2011, and has represented India in international competitions, besides being declared the best boxer of Haryana in 2014.

Deepak and nine others had allegedly intercepted a Haryana Roadways bus, in which a Delhi Police party was travelling with murder accused and alleged gangster Jitender alias Gogi.

Daring bid

“They overpowered the guards by throwing chilli powder in their eyes, and also fired one round. They also snatched a rifle from one of the police personnel, who forced the driver to stop the bus at Bahadurgarh,” said the officer.

A case of robbery and voluntary causing hurt to deter public servant from discharge of duty was registered in connection with the matter.

“One of our teams working on the matter received a tip-off on August 2 that a member of the Gogi gang, who played a crucial role in this crime, would come to Gandhi Nagar in Sonepat. A trap was laid, and Deepak was arrested,” said the officer.

Asked if Jitender’s whereabouts or any leads about his accomplices had been provided by Deepak, the officer said after setting the accused free from police custody, Deepak and others had scattered in different directions.

The officer said that in 2014, Deepak had picked up a fight at a hostel with a fellow boxer. “Deepak landed a blow on the other boxer, and broke his teeth. This resulted in an expulsion, and he got in touch with Gogi gang members, who encouraged him to enter the crime world,” said the officer.

When The Hindu called up the Station House Officer of the Rai police station in Sonepat to seek details about this episode, he said he could not recall the same.