Mysterious dacoity in royal aide's house, 1 killed

Gwalior, May 31 (UNI) Police shot dead a criminal and arrested two others after a shoot out following a sensational dacoity in the haveli of a former royal aide of the Scindia family here late last night.

A police constable was seriously injured when the fleeing assailants opened fire while attempting to free their colleague who was detained by the night patrol team.

Police suspect the involvement of few servants, employed at the haveli of former Scindia family 'Sirdar' and Rajya Sabha member late D K Jadhav, in the dacoity as two watchmen were missing from the palatial mansion in suspicious circumstances.

Additional Superintendent of Police Vineet Khanna said five assailants, after tying up the watchmen and locking up a maid servant and the dogs, entered the haveli and looted Rs 30,000 in cash, silver utensils and antiques after threatening late Jadhav's widow Kamaldevi at pistol point.

The criminals, who disconnected all telephone lines in the haveli. snatched away the cell phone from Mrs Kamaladevi, but accidently pressed a button alerting her daughter-in-law Umadevi in New Delhi, who subsequently informed her contacts here that some thing was wrong. Police was subsequently alerted.

The criminals, while fleeing, was encountered by two constables on night patrol three Km from the haveli. Police constable Shishupal Singh was seriously injured as two criminals fired at the policemen who had managed to catch one of the criminals Gangaram. Constable Vinod Singh fired at the criminals, killing Udayvir Singh Bhadoria alias Guddan on the spot.

While Gangaram was recaptured, police arrested Shailendra Singh from his residence. Two criminals -- Bagga Sirdar and Giriraj, were still absconding, Mr Khanna said, adding the criminals abandoned the booty while fleeing.

Superintendent of Police M S Narang ordered out of turn promotion to both constables and sanctioned Rs 5000 for the treatment of the injured constable.

UNI MKS-SP VD DS1612