Story of their assassins continues....

On 5 May 2001 a Tata Safari with licence plate number DL 8CF 5xx5 was spotted near the rendezvous point off the Delhi–Karnal highway. Six goons, later identified as Anil Kumar Shehrawat, Raj Kumar, Rakesh, Dinesh Kumar, Omvir and Bhupender Tyagi aka Modi were nabbed from the vehicle. An AK-47 rifle with two magazines and 200 rounds of ammunition, one pistol with two magazines and fifty rounds of ammunition and fake Indian currency worth Rs 25,000 were recovered. Most importantly, layout plans of the residences of Tejpal and Bahal and their office at D1 Swami Nagar in Delhi were also found. The following day, one more AK-47 rifle with two magazines, 100 rounds of ammunition and one pistol with ammunition were recovered from the house of Anil Kumar Sehrawat.

With the arrest of Tyagi, whose curriculum vitae in the criminal world has been discussed earlier, and his five associates, the attempted assassination of Tejpal and Bahal was foiled. A case of criminal conspiracy to commit murder was registered at the police station in Lodhi Colony against the arrested accused and MS, who was absconding.

It was somewhere around this time that I went to my hometown Patna to visit my parents. When returning to Delhi, I was sitting in the lounge at Patna airport, waiting for my flight. As I sat browsing through newspapers, I heard a commotion and looked around. Lo and behold, I saw MS walking into the lounge nonchalantly. An aide, who was carrying his briefcase, accompanied him. A member of the airline staff was escorting the two and told them he would come to inform them once boarding commenced. They slumped into a sofa, relaxed and comfortable.

I had recognized MS instantly as he had walked in. His unmistakable tall frame, neatly trimmed moustache and piercing gaze were enough for me to identify him. But since this was the first time I was seeing him in the flesh, I wanted to be absolutely sure that it was indeed him.

To be continued.....