Sidhu Moose Wala case: Absconding shooter, two associates arrested

CHANDIGARH: In a major breakthrough, Punjab Police, in a joint operation with central agencies and Delhi Police, arrested Deepak alias Mundi, absconding shooter of Sidhu Moose Wala, with two associates, according to a police official on Saturday. The two associates were identified as Kapil Pandit and Rajinder.

According to Gaurav Yadav, DGP Punjab Police, the trio were arrested by the Anti-Gangster Task Force team at the West Bengal-Nepal border. The official said that Deepak who was the shooter in the incident, was provided the logistical support by the remaining two persons were arrested along with him.

"Deepak, Kapil Pandit and Rajinder were arrested today by the Anti-Gangster Task Force team at the WB-Nepal border in the culmination of an intelligence-based operation. Deepak was the shooter in the Bolero module, Kapil Pandit & Rajinder provided logistical support including weapons and hideouts," the DGP said. Sidhu Moose Wala was shot dead by assailants in Jawaharke village of Punjab's Mansa district on May 29. The incident took place a day after his security was withdrawn by the Punjab police among 424 others.

Earlier this month, India confirmed that two suspects, one from Kenya and one from Azerbaijan, have been arrested in connection with the murder of Punjabi singer, Sidhu Moose Wala and the country is in close touch with the local authorities. Police in Mansa district of Punjab has filed a charge sheet against 34 people in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case, of which eight are yet to be arrested, an official had earlier said.

Punjab police, earlier, claimed in their filed petition that Lawrence Bishnoi is a key conspirator of singer Sidhu Moose Wala. Punjab Police further submitted that during the investigation of the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case, the confessional statements of the arrested accused were recorded wherein it was clearly pointed out that Lawrence Bishnoi had tasked the co-accused to carry out the planned killing of Sidhu Moose Wala. Last month, Haryana Police arrested four persons associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar gang and recovered a large number of arms and ammunition from their possession in the Mahesh Nagar police station area of the district, said Ambala Superintendent of Police.

According to the petition filed by Punjab Police in the city court that Lawrence Bishnoi is a key conspirator of singer Sidhu Moose Wala. While a Punjab government release said that gangster Goldy Brar had claimed responsibility for Sidhu Moose Wala's murder on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.