Chhaimar Gang Suspect Shot, Arrested in Maidan Garhi Encounter

Police have arrested a criminal linked to the Chhaimar gang, also known as the Kachha-Baniyan gang, after an exchange of fire in South District, Delhi. The man had a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head.

The suspect has been identified as Sawan, also referred to as Sudhan, Heera, Muchhoda Phoofa and Muchhoda Chacha. Police said he was reconnoitring farmhouses under Maidan Garhi Police Station limits and planning a robbery when officers acted.

An undercover tip about his activities prompted the Maidan Garhi Police Station team to swing into action. Those involved were Sub-Inspector Narendra Kumar, Assistant Sub-Inspector Ashok Mehta, Head Constables Subhe Singh, Shakti and Pradeep, and Constable Wasim Akram.

During the operation, the suspect fired two shots at the police team. One bullet hit Sub-Inspector Narendra Kumar's bulletproof jacket. Constable Wasim Akram returned fire, and a bullet struck the suspect in his right calf. The injured man was caught and subsequently admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment.

Police said the suspect reached Bas Village Road on a motorcycle at around 6:25 am on Sunday. An informant identified him, and as the team tried to stop him, he opened fire with a desi pistol.

Sub-Inspector Kumar fired three warning rounds. The suspect then produced another desi pistol and fired again, with one bullet hitting Kumar's bulletproof jacket. The police then responded with firing.

The accused is wanted in multiple serious cases in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, including dacoity, robbery and murder. A 2014 dacoity-cum-murder case at Shahganj Police Station in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, led to a Rs 1 lakh reward being declared by the Additional DGP of Varanasi Zone.

Additional records include a 2016 dacoity-cum-murder FIR at Raya Police Station in Mathura and a 2024 murder-cum-dacoity case at City-2 Police Station in Mansa, Punjab. Investigators are continuing to examine his role in other crimes.