Delhi Police Apprehends Two Suspects in Shooting Targeting Lawyer's Husband
In a significant breakthrough, Delhi Police has arrested two individuals in connection with a firing incident that allegedly targeted the husband of a lawyer representing notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The accused have been identified as Rohit Solanki and Sagar Malik, whose arrests followed an intensive investigation involving CCTV analysis and multiple raids across Delhi and Gurgaon.
Details of the Attack and Police Investigation
The incident unfolded on February 24, when advocate Deepak Khatri, along with friends Rishab Kapoor, Vikas Sharma, Umesh, and Sandeep, visited a temple in Kashmere Gate. Around 10 PM, as they left the temple and entered Khatri's car, a gunshot was heard near a shelter home on Ring Road. Sandeep reported being hit, and Khatri noticed two to three youths on a two-wheeler chasing them. Khatri managed to drive away and alerted the police near a hotel in Civil Lines.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Central) Madhur Verma formed specialized teams under DCP (North) Raja Banthia to probe the case. The teams meticulously analyzed footage from approximately 300 CCTV cameras, which revealed suspicious individuals near the temple prior to the attack. Informers later identified Rohit Solanki, a resident of Pooth village, from the footage, leading to a focused manhunt.
Arrests and Coordinated Efforts
Police raids at Solanki's residence found him absconding with his family. It was discovered that he was using SIM cards issued under fake identities and maintained contact with associates via VPNs. Investigations revealed he had stayed at a house in Paschim Vihar until the evening of the incident. Subsequent coordinated raids across Delhi and Gurgaon culminated in his arrest from an associate's house in Majra Dabas, northwest Delhi.
According to police, Solanki had orchestrated the attack on Khatri, with an earlier attempt in Dehradun failing due to unclear location details. A week before the incident, Solanki and two shooters conducted reconnaissance of the temple area. On the day of the attack, he identified Khatri for the shooters. Solanki attempted to flee to Dubai but was unsuccessful.
Sagar Malik, Solanki's friend, was arrested near Japanese Park in Rohini by a team led by Inspector Sandeep Tushir, under the supervision of Joint CP (Crime) Surender Kumar. Malik handled logistics for the operation, and the scooter used in the crime was registered in his mother's name, further implicating him in the plot.
Broader Context and Implications
This case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in tackling organized crime networks in Delhi. The use of advanced technology, such as VPNs and fake IDs, by the accused underscores the sophistication of criminal activities. The arrest of Solanki and Malik is expected to provide insights into broader criminal conspiracies, potentially linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, whose lawyer was indirectly targeted through this attack.
Police officials have emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, with efforts to uncover any additional accomplices or motives behind the shooting. This incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by legal professionals involved in high-profile cases and the importance of robust security measures.
