Rewari Police Apprehend Notorious Criminal After Late-Night Encounter
Rewari police successfully arrested a man suspected of involvement in the murder of a local fertiliser trader. The dramatic arrest followed a brief encounter on Monday night. Police identified the arrested individual as Jaibhagwan, commonly known as Sonu Mahal. He hails from Pinana village in Sonipat district.
Violent Confrontation Leads to Arrest
The encounter unfolded on Bhatshana road. A combined team from the CIA unit in Dharuhera and the Gurugram Special Task Force signaled Sonu to stop his motorcycle. Instead of complying, Sonu opened fire on the police teams. Officers responded with retaliatory action, hitting Sonu in both legs. He sustained bullet injuries during the exchange.
Police immediately transported Sonu to the civil hospital for medical treatment. His condition remains under observation. Authorities confirmed that Sonu fired five rounds during the confrontation. Two police officers, CIA in-charge Yogesh Hooda and Gurugram STF sub-inspector Vivek, were struck by bullets. Fortunately, their bulletproof jackets protected them from serious harm.
Extensive Criminal History Revealed
Investigators revealed that Sonu Mahal faces more than twenty-one criminal cases. The police had announced a reward of twenty thousand rupees for his capture. Among these cases, ten involve murder charges. Other charges include attempted murder and robbery.
Sonu's criminal activities span multiple districts in Haryana. Cases against him are registered in Gohana, Jind, Sirsa, Bahadurgarh, and Jhajjar. His reach extends into Delhi areas like Narela, Begumpur, and South Rohini. Police sources indicate that Sonu entered the criminal underworld nearly two decades ago. The first case against him dates back to July 2003 at Gohana police station.
Connection to Fertiliser Trader Murder
Sonu stands as the main accused in the murder of Mohan, a fertiliser trader from Bahala village in Rewari. Mohan operated a fertiliser and seed shop in his village. Armed assailants shot him dead on December 23. They arrived in an SUV, executed the crime, and fled the scene.
When Mohan's son and local residents attempted to chase the attackers, the criminals threatened to shoot them. They managed to escape before police could arrive. The murder case has drawn significant attention in the region.
Gang Affiliations and Legal Proceedings
Police sources further disclosed that Sonu previously worked as an associate of the Kala Jathedi gang. He reportedly split from the group following differences related to a case where he served as a witness. This rift may have influenced his recent independent criminal activities.
Authorities have registered a case against Sonu at the Dharuhera police station. They charged him under various sections of the law, including attempt to murder and provisions of the Arms Act. The investigation continues as police gather more evidence about his involvement in multiple crimes.
