Delhi encounter: Hunt on for 47 others

Police are on the lookout for 47 members of the gang of extortionist-cum-professional killer Neetu Dabodha, gunned down Thursday along with his two associates.

"We were tailing Dabodha's movements for over one year and prepared his dossier. Till now, 47 members of his gang are on our wanted list," said S.N. Srivastava, special commissioner of police (Special Cell).

The Haryana-based criminal, Surender Malik alias Neetu Dabodha, 29, was killed in an exchange of fire along with Alok Gupta and Deepak Ray near the Grand Hyatt hotel in Vasant Kunj area of south Delhi.

"The trio were rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where they were declared dead," said the officer.

Srivastava said Gupta and Ray were not in the dossier but during investigation, Gupta's role in five criminal cases came to light.

"We are verifying Ray's background whether he was involved in any criminal case or he recently joined Dabodha's gang," said the officer.

Explaining the sequence of events, Srivastava said on a tip-off the accused were spotted travelling in an I-20 Hyundai car near a petrol pump in the Vasant Kunj area.

"When our team signalled them to stop, they sped towards the Grand Hyatt hotel using the C-5 link road. After a few minutes chase, our team in a bullet-proof Scorpio intercepted them near the hotel," said Srivastava.

He said the criminals rammed their car against the police vehicle and opened fire.

"We retaliated in self defence and after 18 minutes exchange of fire, the trio were gunned down," said Srivastava.

"No police team member was injured as all were wearing bullet-proof jackets," he said.

The officer said Dabodha, with a bounty of Rs.3 lakh on his head, had come to Delhi to execute a kidnapping-cum-ransom plan.

"One revolver, two pistols, one carbine and 45 live cartridges were recovered from their possession," said the officer.