''Shoot-out'' culprit a ''most wanted'' criminal

Karnal, Dec 29 (UNI) The accused who had shot dead a taxi driver here yesterday turned out to be most wanted criminal Pradeep alias 'Kala', a resident of Badala villate in Hisar district, SSP A S Chawla said here today at a hurriedly convened press conference.

He was involved in 16 gruesome crimes and carried a reward of Rs 25,000 on his head, he said.

He has committed two murders in Hisar, the SSP said adding that he was a member of the notorious Jamawadia gang who is at present lodged in Hisar jail.

He had tried to hoodwink the police by taking a false name of Vijay and was booked under section 302, 34 of the IPC and 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act on his false name yesterday.

His two accomplices also belong to notorious Lara gang. It has also come to light that one of their accomplice is at present lodged in a jail here and they were planning to make him flee from the jail.

Meanwhile, Pawan's body, who fell victim to Pradeep's bullet was handed over to his relatives after a post mortem today.

UNI