New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) A key accused wanted in connection with the sensational 2024 Delhi Diwali double murder case was arrested after sustaining a gunshot injury during an encounter with police in the Shastri Park area of the national capital, officials said on Tuesday.

The accused has been identified as Amir, also known by the aliases Saleem and Tillan. The 34-year-old is a resident of Vijay Park in Delhi’s Maujpur area and has links with jailed gangster Hasim Baba, according to police.

The arrest marks a significant development in the investigation into the high-profile double murder that took place on October 31, 2024, during Diwali celebrations in Shahdara.

The incident had shocked the city after property dealer Akash Sharma, aged 40, and his 16-year-old nephew Rishabh Sharma were shot dead outside their residence in Bihari Colony under the Farsh Bazar area of Shahdara while celebrating the festival with family members. Akash Sharma’s 10-year-old son, Krish, was also critically injured in the attack.

The entire sequence of events was captured on CCTV cameras installed in the locality. Following the incident, police registered a case at Farsh Bazar Police Station against unidentified assailants and launched an extensive investigation to identify those involved.

Investigators later determined that two attackers had arrived on a scooter. According to police findings, one of the assailants touched Akash Sharma’s feet as a diversionary tactic before both men allegedly opened indiscriminate fire on the victims. The attack left two people dead and a child seriously injured.

During the course of the investigation, police identified a monetary dispute as the primary motive behind the killings. According to investigators, a 17-year-old juvenile, who was reportedly a distant relative and former associate of Akash Sharma, had lent him Rs 70,000. Police alleged that when Sharma failed to repay the amount and stopped responding to calls, the juvenile arranged for a professional shooter to carry out the attack.

The alleged shooter was later identified as Anil alias Sonu Matka, a known criminal with a history of serious offences, including a murder case and involvement in a major Rs 1.5-crore robbery in Karol Bagh. Police also claimed that he maintained links with the Lawrence Bishnoi-Hasim Baba criminal network. The juvenile suspect was apprehended shortly after the murders.

The latest breakthrough came on Monday when police received information regarding the whereabouts of another accused in the case, Amir.

Acting on the tip-off, a special police team was formed to trace and apprehend him. The team included Inspector Man Singh, Inspector Sunder Gautam, Sub-Inspectors Manish and Bharat Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector Naresh, Head Constables Ramjas, Manoj, Ravish, Kapil and Sumit Yadav, along with Constables Sonu, Faizan, Deepak and Woman Constable Indu.

Based on information from a secret informant, the police team laid a trap near the Metro Depot in Delhi’s Shastri Park area.

Officials said the operation culminated late Monday night when the police team intercepted the suspect at around 10:48 p.m.

“On seeing himself surrounded by a police party, the accused person wiped out his pistol and opened fire, targeting the police party. Then HC Manoj fired in self-defence, targeting the legs of the accused person,” police officials said.

According to investigators, Amir allegedly attempted to resist arrest by opening fire on the police team. In the retaliatory action, he sustained a gunshot injury to the leg and was subsequently overpowered by the raiding team.

After being brought under control, Amir was taken into custody, and legal proceedings were initiated against him.

Police confirmed that he has now been formally arrested in connection with the case.

Authorities are also probing Amir’s alleged links with organised criminal networks and his specific role in the conspiracy behind the double murder.

Further details are awaited as investigators continue to question the accused and gather additional evidence related to the case.

–IANS

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