New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) Delhi Police Crime Branch on Wednesday arrested two accused, including an alleged associate of the late gangster Tillu Tajpuria, in connection with a sensational attempt-to-murder case linked to a violent property dispute in Alipur, officials said.

The accused have been identified as Sandeep alias Daagu Maharaj, 40, and Deepak, 32, both residents of Haryana’s Sonipat. Police said Sandeep is an active associate of the Tillu Tajpuria gang.

The arrests were made by the NR-II Unit of the Crime Branch following sustained surveillance, intelligence gathering and a coordinated field operation. During the operation, police recovered an illegal semi-automatic pistol loaded with four live cartridges, four additional live cartridges and a black SUV allegedly used by the accused.

According to police, the arrests are linked to FIR No. 589/2025 registered at Alipur Police Station in connection with an alleged attempt to grab possession of a disputed plot in Village Ramjanpur on October 30, 2025.

Police said that around 30 to 45 armed persons had allegedly assembled at the disputed property with the intention of taking illegal possession of the land. During the incident, the assailants allegedly opened indiscriminate fire, discharging nearly 12 rounds.

They also allegedly attempted to break open the lock of the plot and assaulted several persons with sticks and staves, creating panic in the locality.

Following the incident, a case was registered under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act at PS Alipur, and an investigation was launched.

To trace those involved, a special team was constituted under the supervision of ACP Girish Kaushik and led by Inspector Pradeep Singh. The team included Sub-Inspectors Satender Dahiya, Yogesh Dahiya, and Parvir Singh, ASI Praveen, Head Constables Siddharth Dhaka, Ashwani Dahiya, Sohit Dahiya, Pradeep Tomar, and Ajay Pal.

During the investigation, Head Constable Tomar developed specific intelligence that Sandeep alias Daagu Maharaj, who was wanted in the Alipur firing case, would arrive in the Narela area along with an associate in a black SUV and would allegedly be carrying illegal firearms.

Acting on the information, the Crime Branch laid a trap near the road connecting Narela UER-II Road and Alipur-Narela Road. When the suspect vehicle arrived, the police team intercepted it. According to officials, the accused attempted to flee after being signalled to stop but were apprehended following a brief chase.

During the search, police recovered the illegal semi-automatic pistol loaded with four live cartridges from Sandeep, while four additional live cartridges were recovered from Deepak. The SUV bearing a Haryana registration number was also seized.

A separate FIR No. 174/2026 under Section 25 of the Arms Act has been registered at the Crime Branch Police Station regarding the recovery of the illegal firearm and ammunition.

During interrogation, Sandeep allegedly disclosed that he studied up to Class 7 and initially worked at his uncle’s grocery shop before entering the world of crime in 2011 following his arrest in a mobile phone snatching case.

Police said he subsequently became involved in several serious criminal cases, including murder and attempt to murder, and remained in judicial custody from 2016 until November 2022.

During his incarceration in Sonipat Jail, Sandeep allegedly came into contact with gangster Tillu Tajpuria, who allegedly persuaded him to join his criminal network by promising financial benefits and greater influence. Before his release, the gangster allegedly shared an international WhatsApp number and instructed him to establish contact after leaving jail.

According to police, after his release in November 2022, Sandeep allegedly contacted the gang through the WhatsApp number. In February 2023, one of the gang’s associates allegedly handed over a semi-automatic pistol along with 10 live cartridges near the Singhu Border. Investigators claim he continued to possess and use the weapon in furtherance of criminal activities.

The accused also allegedly disclosed that he remained in regular contact with active gang members Deepak Balyan and another associate named Sandeep, both residents of Tajpur.

Regarding the Alipur case, Sandeep allegedly told investigators that in October 2025 he and his brother Shantanu were called to Bakhtawarpur by Deepak, who instructed them to bring firearms for the forcible takeover of the disputed plot. The group then allegedly reached Village Ramjanpur, where members opened indiscriminate fire, assaulted several persons with sticks and attempted to break open the lock of the property to take illegal possession of it.

Police said Sandeep has previously been involved in multiple criminal cases registered in Delhi and Haryana, including cases of murder, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and offences under the Arms Act.

During the interrogation of Deepak, police found that he had studied up to Class 12 and assisted his father in farming. Investigators said he also has a criminal background, with previous cases related to murder, illegal possession of arms and offences under the NDPS Act.

According to police, Deepak disclosed that Sandeep is his cousin and had allegedly handed over four live cartridges to him for use in criminal activities.

Officials said further investigation is underway to identify other members of the gang involved in the Alipur firing case and to ascertain the full extent of the criminal conspiracy behind the alleged attempt to illegally seize the disputed property.

–IANS

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