Delhi Crime: Wanted criminal injured in police encounter in Ghazipur

Delhi Crime: A 33-year-old criminal, wanted in a robbery and a violent attack on police personnel cases, was injured in an encounter in East Delhi’s Ghazipur area, an official said on Tuesday.

The accused, Khem Chand alias Sameer, has a criminal history involving 15 previous cases.

Police said that the encounter took place late on Monday near the Paper Market, where the accused had come to meet his associates to plan another crime.

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“Khem Chand had earlier been involved in a violent attack on a police team on the morning of July 18. Around 5.30 am that day, three men riding against the traffic on a motorcycle were intercepted by a patrolling team near ISBT Anand Vihar. When stopped, the trio attacked Assistant Sub-Inspector Mohammad Qasim and constable Krishanpal using batons picked from the police vehicle,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Abhishek Dhania said in a press conference.

The officer further said that both personnel sustained serious head injuries and the assailants fled after robbing them of a mobile phone, wallet, cash and documents.

The suspects abandoned the stolen motorcycle and one of the batons at the scene before fleeing.

The DCP said that an FIR was registered and an intensive investigation was launched. Two teams were formed to probe the case — one comprising members of the Anti-Narcotics Squad and the other of Special Staff.

“The teams collected CCTV footage and conducted technical surveillance to trace the culprits. On Monday, police received specific inputs that Khem Chand, the main accused in the case, would arrive at the Paper Market around midnight.

“The joint team laid a trap at the location. When asked to surrender, the accused impersonated a police officer and attempted to flee. Upon being cornered, he allegedly opened fire at the team,” said the DCP.

The police said that in self-defence, a team retaliated. Khem Chand was injured and later admitted to LBS Hospital in Kalyanpuri.

The police said the accused fired four rounds, while the police team fired two rounds. No police personnel were injured in the encounter. A pistol with live and empty cartridges and a stolen motorcycle were recovered from the accused. A forensic team and PCR unit were informed, and further investigation is underway to identify and arrest Khem Chand’s remaining associates.

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According to the police, Khem Chand is a native of Godda district in Jharkhand, currently residing in Burari’s Sant Nagar. He is illiterate, unmarried and a chronic user of alcohol and drugs.

The police said that he had been living a transient lifestyle, often sleeping on railway platforms in Shahdara and Ghaziabad. To avoid detection, he would regularly purchase platform tickets and pose as a commuter.

“During interrogation, Khem Chand admitted to resorting to crime to fund his drug addiction. He revealed that he had previously tried to change his identity to Javed, to mislead police,” said the officer, adding that further investigation is in progress.