Main accused in constable’s murder killed in police encounter

A day after Delhi Police Constable Kiran Pal was fatally stabbed, the main accused was killed in a police encounter in South Delhi’s Sangam Vihar, officials said on Sunday.

The encounter occurred late Saturday night, and the accused was identified as Raghav, alias Rocky.

Constable Pal, who was posted at the Govindpuri Police Station, was stabbed to death early Saturday while on night patrol in South East Delhi’s Govindpuri area. Two suspects, Deepak Max and Krish Gupta, were arrested the same day, but Raghav, who allegedly attacked the constable with a knife, had managed to evade.

Based on a tip-off, a joint team of the South East district’s Narcotics Cell and the Delhi Police Special Cell tracked Raghav to an area near Sangam Vihar and Surajkund Road.

“Around midnight, the suspect was identified and asked to surrender,” said a senior officer.

“However, he ignored repeated warnings and opened fire on our personnel. In self-defence, the team returned fire, injuring the suspect,” the officer added.

Raghav was rushed to ESIC Hospital in Okhla, but he succumbed to his injuries during treatment. A .32 bore pistol with two live cartridges was recovered from the scene, and no police personnel were injured in the encounter.

Pal (42) was on routine night patrol early Saturday when he stopped three persons riding a scooter in Govindpuri. The suspects initially tried to escape by throwing stones at Pal but were intercepted when he blocked their scooter with his bike.

During the confrontation, Raghav stabbed Pal and fled with the other two suspects. Pal’s colleagues later found him unconscious with multiple stab wounds near Sant Ravidas Marg. He was rushed to a hospital, but was declared dead.