Wanted gang leader arrested following exchange of fire in central Delhi

Image used for representational purpose only. | Photo Credit: Getty Images A 30-year-old alleged gang leader wanted in a case related to a violent clash between two rival groups during a procession was arrested following an exchange of fire with police near Shadipur flyover in central Delhi, officials said on Friday (November 13, 2026).The accused, identified as Prakash alias Akash alias Chinu, a history-sheeter and an absconding bad character of Nabi Karim police station, sustained a bullet injury in his right leg during the exchange of fire on the night of Friday (November 13, 2026), they said.According to police, the accused opened fire at the police team when he was asked to stop. One of the bullets passed close to the arm of a constable, following which the police personnel retaliated in self-defence. The accused was subsequently overpowered and taken to a hospital, they said.An illegal pistol along with live cartridges was recovered from his possession, police said.The arrest is part of a sustained crackdown on two rival gangs operating in the areas of Sadar Bazar, Nabi Karim and Paharganj, following a violent confrontation between their members during a procession on September 13."Members of the Nayak Samaj took out the procession to mark the birthday celebrations of Baba Ramdev Ji and were passing through Jhandewalan Road when an altercation broke out between the Vikas Kalia group, associated with Sadar Bazar, and the Prakash alias Chinu group, associated with Nabi Karim," police said in a statement.The confrontation escalated into stone-throwing, assaults and firing, creating a serious law-and-order situation. During the incident, Prakash and his associates allegedly assaulted a woman associated with a member of the rival group, they said.Police registered an FIR at Nabi Karim police station on September 14 over the alleged assault on the woman and her family members at Shyamji Mal Lane in Steel Market, while another case was registered at Sadar Bazar police station on September 15 following a firing incident near Rain Basera on Ram Kumar Marg in Motia Khan, in which a man, identified as Vansh, sustained a gunshot injury in his left hand.Police said Prakash was wanted in the Nabi Karim case and had been evading arrest. A Court also initiated proceedings against him on October 28.Acting on a tip-off that the accused would visit the area near Shadipur flyover to meet an associate, police laid a trap. Around 12:45 a.m. on November 13, the team spotted a man approaching on foot. After he was identified by the informer as Prakash and signalled to stop, he allegedly opened fire and attempted to flee. During the retaliatory firing, he sustained a bullet injury in his right leg, police said.The accused, a resident of Nabi Karim, has been involved in 15 criminal cases, including murder, attempt to murder, robbery, snatching and offences under the Arms Act, they said.His criminal record includes a murder and attempt-to-murder case registered in 2016, besides several cases of robbery and snatching. Police said Prakash allegedly started theft and snatching at an early age before becoming involved in more serious offences.Earlier, on September 28, police arrested two key members of the rival Vikas Kalia group, identified as Mukesh and Akash alias Matthi, following an exchange of fire near Karnail Singh Stadium in Paharganj.Both accused had sustained bullet injuries in their legs. Police said two illegal firearms, ammunition and a stolen motorcycle were also recovered during that operation.Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh said the latest arrest has significantly weakened both rival groups' ability to engage in further criminal activities.Police said further investigation and legal proceedings are underway. Published - November 13, 2026 03:28 pm IST