Gangster Neeraj Bawana wants security after clash

Gangster Neeraj Bawana, who with his aides killed two members of a rival gang in a police van, on Wednesday moved an application before a court seeking security for himself citing threat to his life.

Two undertrial inmates were killed and five others suffered injuries in the clash between two rival gangs -- Neetu Dabodha gang and Neeraj Bawana gang -- while they were being taken back to Tihar jail from a city court on Tuesday evening.

Bawana on Wednesday claimed that he had also filed similar applications but the jail administration did not take the issue seriously.

He claimed that Tuesday's clash was due to the irresponsible behaviour of the jail administration.

The plea filed by his counsel M.S. Khan said they had earlier moved applications on two occasions, but the jail administration and the deputy commissioner of police of the Delhi Armed Police 3rd Battalion "did not take the complaint seriously" and "filed a concocted report" before the court.

"Non-action on their part led to the attack on the applicant (Bawana) during transportation from court," the plea said.

Bawana claimed that he faced a serious threat to his life as his rivals might try to eliminate him during his transportation, presentation in court and inside the prison complex.

"The applicant (Bawana) has many enemies within and outside jail and he has serious apprehension that these enemies may attempt to kill him during his transportation/production before the courts/lodgement in jail," the plea said.

The court sought response from the jail authorities and listed the matter for August 31.

Bawana, who is lodged in Tihar jail in connection with many cases, claimed that he had escaped an attempt to kill him in Panipat when an unidentified person fired at him during his production in court.

Tuesday's clash occurred inside a moving van ferrying nine inmates from the Rohini court to Tihar. Two members of the Neetu Dabodha gang were killed.