NEW DELHI: A high-voltage encounter in south Delhi resulted in the death of the main accused in the murder of Constable Kiranpal. The accused, identified as Raghav alias Rocky, was killed in an armed encounter with a joint team of local police and the Special Cell. A .32 bore pistol with two live rounds was recovered from the accused.
In a statement, the Delhi Police said: “The prime accused in the murder of Constable Kiranpal, which transpired during the early hours of November 23, died in an armed confrontation with a joint team of local police and the Special Cell.”
“In the intervening night of November 22/23, 2024, Constable Kiranpal, alongside Constable Banai Singh and Constable Sunil, was positioned at a police booth near Arya Samaj Mandir, in the vicinity of PS Govindpuri, South East District. At 4:45 AM, Constable Sunil departed the booth for official duties. Upon his return, Constable Kiranpal was absent, and his telephone remained unanswered.”
“A subsequent search led to the discovery of Constable Kiranpal lying unconscious with stab wounds, near Gali No. 13, Sant Ravidas Marg, Govindpuri. The wounded constable was rushed to Majidiya Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival,” the statement added.
Investigations revealed that the constable was mortally attacked whilst on duty and consequently, a criminal case vide FIR No. 603/2024 was registered under the pertinent sections of law.
In the late evening of November 23, intelligence was received regarding the whereabouts of the prime suspect, identified as Raghav alias Rocky, a resident of D Block, Sangam Vihar.
A joint team from the Special Cell (NDR) and Narcotics Cell, South East District, comprising SI Adesh, HC Arjun, HC Kaushinder, HC Balkar, and HC Mohit, which was collaborating since the tragic incident, proceeded to the area connecting Sangam Vihar to Surajkund Road to verify the information.
Near midnight, the suspect was positively identified and after declaring their presence, the police personnel directed the suspect to surrender himself for questioning. Disregarding the police team’s instructions, the suspect deliberately opened fire from close proximity using a firearm in his possession. In self-defence, the police team retaliated, resulting in the suspect sustaining gunshot wounds.
Following the defensive action, the suspect was promptly transported to ESIC Hospital, Okhla, where he succumbed to injuries sustained in police action. From the incident site, a .32 bore pistol with two live rounds was recovered from the accused. No police official sustained injuries in the defensive counter-fire.
All statutory protocols for instances of death in police action are being adhered to, police claimed.