Two of the 'main' shooters and a facilitator in the murder of singer Sidhu Moose Wala have been arrested, claimed Delhi Police's Special Cell on Monday, 20 June.
The police also said they recovered large quantities of arms and explosives from the accused and added that the shooters also purchased Punjab Police uniforms but could not use them due to the lack of nameplates.
The Special Cell added that six shooters fired multiple shots at Moose Wala.
Priyavrat Fauji (26) was arrested along with Kashish (24), alias Kuldeep, and Keshav Kumar (29). The police claimed that Fauji and Kashish were the main shooters, while Kumar accompanied the shooters till Mansa on the day of the incident.
Fauji led the team of shooters and was directly in touch with wanted criminal Goldy Brar, who claimed responsibility for Moose Wala's murder along with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The police said that Fauji was the 'main' shooter and executioner.
The Special Cell further claimed that both Kashish and Fauji were caught on CCTV cameras at a petrol station in Fatehgarh before the murder.
History of Arrests
All three accused have a history of arrests. While Fauji was arrested in connection with a murder in Sonipat in 2015 and has been wanted in a murder case since 2021, Kashish was wanted in a murder at Jhajjhar, Haryana, in 2021.
Meanwhile, Kumar was arrested in a murder case at Bathinda, Punjab, in 2020 and was also suspected to be involved in various cases of extortion in the state.
The police added that Kumar "received the shooters after the shootout" and also accompanied them during recognisance.
During a press conference, the Delhi Police Special Cell said that the shooters travelled in two vehicles. The first car driven by Kashish had Priyavat Fauji, Deepak Munde, and Ankit Sirsa, while Jagroop Roopa drove the second car.
"While the first car overtook Moose Wala's Thar jeep and opened fire, the second car continued to remain on his tail," the police said.
Soon after the incident, Manpreet Manu and Roopa fled; the Priyavrat-led team also left the spot.
The police also recovered eight grenades, nine electric detonators, three pistols, and one assault rifle recovered from the arrested persons.
The Murder
On 29 May, Moose Wala was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Punjab's Mansa district, a day after the state government curtailed his security cover. His cousin and a friend, who were travelling in a jeep with him, were also injured in the attack.
Hours later, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) VK Bhawra informed, "Gangster Goldy Brar has taken responsibility for the murder. Lawrence Bishnoi gang is behind the murder. At least three weapons were used in the murder."
The police have made multiple arrests since Moose Wala's murder.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)