One more held for attack on Teotia

Ghaziabad: One more suspect — a lifer currently out on bail — has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the attack on local BJP leader Brijpal Teotia even as the main conspirators behind the plot continue to evade arrest.

A joint team of the UP Police’s special task force and the Ghaziabad district police arrested Jogender Rajput alias Babbal (35) from New Ghaziabad Railway Station at 11.30 pm on Tuesday. A .32 bore semi-automatic pistol, allegedly used by Babbal to fire at Teotia’s vehicle during the attack in Muradnagar, has been recovered from him.

Teotia and his posse of gunmen and aides were travelling in two Scorpios on Rawli Road on August 11 when they were attacked. The assailants following them in two Fortuner SUVs opened fire, including from an AK-47. All six persons, including Teotia, had survived the attack albeit with serious gunshot injuries.

Cops said Babbal, who hails from the Naraina area of Delhi, was hired by the main conspirators — Manish and Manoj — to eliminate Teotia. He had been convicted in a 2002 murder case in Lajpat Nagar police station area. He was sentenced to life in jail, but is out on bail granted by the Delhi high court.

“Babbal had been involved with Manish and Manoj since the past four months in planning the attack on Teotia. He was amongst those who had opened fire on Teotia. Investigations have revealed that the AK-47 rifle had been brought by Manish,” Ghaziabad SSP KS Emmanuel told TOI.

Teotia’s family members fear another attack

With the main conspirators being still at large, the family members of Teotia, who is still admitted to the Fortis hospital in Noida, have informed Ghaziabad police that they perceive the likelihood of yet another attack on him.

On Tuesday, his family members submitted a clipping of CCTV footage to Ghaziabad police, which purportedly shows two suspicious persons loitering near the hospital room in which Teotia is recuperating.

“The two men even sought permission from security guards near Teotia’s room to be allowed inside. However, family members who were attending upon him could not recognise the men. They sent the two men downstairs to the lobby to meet me. However, they were later not to be seen anywhere,” Brijpal Teotia’s younger brother, Vikas, said.

“We are verifying the video footage submitted by Teotia’s family,” the Ghaziabad SSP said.