After a tense encounter, the Delhi Police successfully arrested two assailants notorious for their robbery attempt and assault on two American tourists at a local park. In the Sunday morning skirmish, both suspects suffered gunshot wounds to their legs and were promptly admitted to the hospital. The police will hold them for questioning post-recovery.
The remarkable event unfolded during the night of June 25-26 at the serene Aastha Kunj Park in South-East Delhi. A U.S. citizen along with his female companion was leisurely strolling when they were suddenly attacked by one of the suspects wielding a knife. The attacker fled with the tourist's phone and belongings, leaving him injured.
Responding swiftly to the emergency, police transported the injured tourist for urgent medical attention. His surgery and subsequent recovery are underway. Enshrined within a complaint at Amar Colony Police Station, the female companion's account led to the formation of a specialized investigative team that meticulously scrutinized CCTV footage from Aastha Kunj Park, Garhi, Kalkaji, and Nehru Place.
Brilliant detective work, aided by local informants, unveiled the culprits' identities. On early Sunday, police received a critical tip about the suspects’ whereabouts. Subsequently, meticulous traps were set at the park's entry and exit points. At approximately 5:10 a.m., the accused, Jatin alias Mowgli and Akshay, were spotted approaching from the ISKCON Temple side. The police ordered them to surrender.
Choosing defiance, the culprits fired back at the police instead of complying. In self-defense, officers aimed deliberately at their legs, incapacitating both men. The criminals discharged three rounds, with one bullet ricocheting off an inspector's bulletproof vest and another impacting a constable's jacket. Thankfully, no officers were harmed.
Both injured criminals were immediately rushed to AIIMS Trauma Centre for necessary care. Police confiscated a sophisticated handgun and ammunition from them, along with the stolen phone. The primary suspect, 20-year-old Jatin alias Mowgli from Uttam Nagar, has prior charges of assault on record.
His accomplice, Akshay Baithani, aged 20 from Amritpuri, Garhi, had no previous criminal background. Investigations revealed they were school classmates who dropped out after fifth grade. Falling into bad company, they became addicted to alcohol and narcotics, fueling their descent into crime.
Revealed during interrogation, Jatin admitted that on the night of the incident, upon spotting the American tourists in a deserted park section, he formulated a robbery plan, persuading Akshay to join in. A robust case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code is now filed against both suspects at the Amar Colony Police Station.
