New Delhi: Delhi Police have arrested five people in connection with the killing of 45-year-old Deepak Dabas, who was found dead near an SUV in the Kanjhawala area on July 16, officials said on Thursday. Investigators say the death, which initially resembled a road accident, followed two earlier attempts on the victim’s life and was driven by a long-running personal enmity.
Police reconstruct sequence of attacks
According to the probe led by Kanjhawala police, Deepak, a resident of Majra Dabas village, was first the target of a shooting outside his brother’s house. Two weeks later, on July 2, he was allegedly struck by a car while riding his scooter; that incident was originally registered as a separate road-accident FIR. The fatal incident occurred on July 16 when the man was run over by a Mahindra Scorpio and found dead beside the vehicle in a field close to Chandpur Majra.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini) Shashank Jaiswal said the arrests followed a detailed reconstruction of these events and evidence pointing to a premeditated conspiracy.
“When the attempts failed, the conspirators made another attempt that resulted in Deepak’s death on July 16,” DCP Shashank Jaiswal said during a press conference.
Police identified Pawan, also known as Jagpal Dabas (45), as the main conspirator. He was arrested on Wednesday, and four other accused have since been taken into custody as the investigation progressed, officials said. The police have registered an FIR at Kanjhawala police station and formed a special team to probe the case.
Alleged motive and background
Investigators told reporters the motive stems from a long-standing enmity said to stretch back more than two decades and relate to allegations involving the accused’s sister. The probe has concentrated on establishing whether the earlier collisions were staged and who was responsible for orchestrating the final fatal incident.
On-scene findings and evidentiary lead
Officers said they reached the spot on July 16 after a PCR call reporting a man lying near an SUV in a field. A damaged scooter was located about 100 metres away from the body. Initially treated as an accident, subsequent inquiries traced the victim to Majra Dabas village and linked the July 2 and July 16 incidents.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 2 | Deepak allegedly struck by a car while riding his scooter; incident registered as a road-accident FIR |
| July 16 | Body found near a Scorpio in a field at Kanjhawala; damaged scooter located nearby; death recorded |
| August (second week) | Five arrests made, including main accused Pawan (Jagpal Dabas); FIR and special investigation team formed |
Investigation status and next steps
Police said forensic and circumstantial evidence prompted detectives to revisit the July 2 collision as a likely attempted homicide rather than a mere accident. Statements from witnesses, vehicle damage analysis and chronology of movements reportedly form part of the case file. The Kanjhawala police unit has been continuing custodial and technical inquiries, and further arrests or charges may follow as forensic reports and mobile-phone records are examined, officials indicated.
- Victim: Deepak Dabas, 45, resident of Majra Dabas village
- Main accused: Pawan alias Jagpal Dabas, 45; arrested
- Arrests: Five persons taken into custody in connection with the murder
Law-enforcement sources stressed the case underlines how incidents that appear accidental at first can conceal targeted violence, and they urged locals with any relevant information to come forward to assist the inquiry. The police appeal included requests for witnesses to provide CCTV or dash-cam footage from the relevant dates.
The arrests and the evolving probe have drawn attention in northwest Delhi, where residents expressed concern at the escalation of a long-running dispute into lethal violence. Authorities said they will follow forensic leads and legal processes to ensure the suspects are prosecuted under applicable sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Further details, including charges filed and remand hearings for the arrested, are expected as the Kanjhawala police complete formal procedures and present the case in court.
