Delhi's most wanted criminal arrested

New Delhi: Delhi's most wanted criminal Sonu Dariyapur, who carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head, was arrested here following an exchange of firing in the early hours of Thursday, police said.

The gangster was wanted in 10 cases of murder, including a triple murder in April 2017, in which a police officer was also shot dead. He was also wanted in connection with extortion, abduction and arms act-related cases.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said the 38-year-old accused, a resident of Bawana in north-west Delhi, was arrested from Narela area of north Delhi at around 5.30 a.m.

According to Yadav, based on information, police surrounded Dariyapur, who was driving a white Hyundai i20 car.

"The accused got out of the car and fired at the police team. The fire was returned by them, but no one was injured," Yadav said. 

Two shots fired by the accused hit bullet-proof vests of two policemen and, subsequently, Dariyapur was overpowered.

Two pistols and 17 live cartridges were recovered from the accused.

The officer said the accused, who is an under-graduate, started committing crimes in 2000.

In 2006, Dariyapur tried to kill his associate Monu when he discovered that the latter was in a relationship with his cousin sister. Although Monu survived, another person died in the firing, police said.

Monu was provided protection after the incident.

But on April 30 this year, Dariyapur and his aides shot dead Monu, his security officer, Monu's friend Arun and Assisstant Sub-Inspector of Police Vijay, when they were sitting in a car in Mianwali Nagar area of north-west Delhi.

After the triple murder, police declared a reward of Rs one lakh each for the arrest of the associates and Rs 5 lakh for Dariyapur.

Subsequently, the associates were arrested but Dariyapur kept shifting locations to avoid arrest.

Police teams were sent to various places in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to nab the gangster. On Wednesday, police were informed that he was leaving for Delhi from Himachal Pradesh.

According to police, he used to raise funds by extorting money from cable operators, businessmen and property dealers in different parts of Delhi and Haryana.

DCP Yadav said that during interrogation, Dariyapur admitted to committing the murders and added that they were trying to nab rest of his accomplices.