Panipat: Rakesh Kumar (36), undergoing life term in a murder case, was shot dead in broad daylight near Jattu Chowk in Panipat today. His cousin was injured in the attack.
Panipat: Rakesh Kumar (36), undergoing life term in a murder case, was shot dead in broad daylight near Jattu Chowk in Panipat today. His cousin was injured in the attack.
The police suspected the killing to be the result of old enmity between rival gangs of criminals. The victim was a cable operator in the area. The incident took place around 11 am when Rakesh was on his way from his house at Bhagat Nagar to his office in a Scorpio car with his cousin Jasbeer, alias Jassa, and another youth Sunny.
When they neared Dr Baldev Hospital close to Jattu Chowk, two or three youths started firing at Rakesh. The attack was recorded in CCTV cameras installed at shops near the spot, said sources. Jagdeep Duhan, DSP (HQ); Aatma Ram Lamba, DSP (City); Inspector Suresh Kumar, SHO, City police station; and a forensic team visited the spot.
Rahul Sharma, SP, said, “Two youths are seen firing at Rakesh in CCTV footage.” Three or four persons might be involved in the murder and the police were trying to identify the attackers, he said.
“Prima facie, it seems to be a case of old rivalry and gang war. The victim had links with some criminal gangs of some other districts,” he added. The deceased had been awarded life imprisonment for murdering cable operator Aman in 2007 and was out on bail from High Court at present, he pointed out.
“I was near the spot and I heard 15 or 16 round of fire. When I reached the spot, Rakesh was lying on his car seat in a pool of blood and Jasbeer had a bullet injury in the leg,” said Vishal, who took them to a hospital with Sunny. Doctors declared Rakesh brought dead, Vishal added.
“A case has been registered against unidentified persons under relevant sections of the IPC and Arms Act. A special team has been set up under the supervision of DSP (City) to arrest the accused. We hope that the culprits will be arrested soon,” said the SP.
