Constable held for shooting trader, robbery

Sumegha Gulati, Mon, Sep 26, 2011, New Delhi:

A day after a 60-year-old dry fruits trader was shot dead and a mobile phone store owner injured in Lahori Gate area, police on Sunday identified the assailant as a head constable of the Delhi Police.

According to police, Head Constable Ajay Tomar fired three rounds at businessman Amarjeet Singh Chaddha in an attempt to rob him of his gold chains and cash on Saturday around 9 pm. He then tried to flee, but fractured his right leg as he jumped off a railway bridge to evade arrest. Tomar is recuperating at Hindu Rao Hospital.

The mobile phone shopkeeper, Harinder Singh alias Sunny (24), who suffered a bullet injury in his neck while he was helping a policeman chase Tomar, is admitted at St Stephen’s Hospital.

Police have recovered two pistols and a motorcycle from Tomar.

According to police, Chaddha was returning home, with his employee Mohit, after closing his shop when Tomar stopped the Alto car they were travelling in.

“Tomar stopped his UP-registered bike in front of them and fired at Chaddha. The accused is from 1995 cadre and 7th battalion. We are checking his records for any previous criminal involvements,” said I B Rani, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North).

Police said Chaddha ran ‘Kabul Dryfruit Store’ in Khari Baoli, Chandni Chowk. His younger brother, Balbir, said Chaddha was very fond of jewellery and was wearing 7 to 8 gold chains at the time of the incident.

“Amarjeet was know as ‘Sardarji chainwale’ in Chandni Chowk area. He used to buy a new gold chain every Diwali,” he said.

Chaddha’s brother-in-law, Gurdeep Singh Lamba, said , “Amarjeet was carrying that day’s sales, around Rs 80,000.” Chaddha received bullet injuries in the stomach and was taken to Tirath Ram Hospital. He succumbed to injuries around 10.15 pm.

Police said Tomar fired a fourth shot when he was being chased by a policeman and Sunny.

“Tomar did not use his service weapon in committing the crime. He used an illegal 0.32 bore weapon,” a police officer said.

Balbir said Chaddha had called him after the shooting. “He said ‘come to the hospital fast’. I still remember his voice,” he said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/constable-held-for-shooting-trader-robbery/851689/0