Proclaimed offender Abdul Gaffar wanted in gang-rape case held in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Abdul Gaffar, a proclaimed offender wanted for a 2021 gang rape case and a recent shooting incident, was arrested from Tis Hazari Court premises on May 9 where he had reportedly come to surrender, said police on Tuesday.Gaffar, a resident of Burari, had been evading arrest since October 2021 in connection with a gang rape case in the Burari area. While three of his co-accused were arrested, he remained at large."Three of his co-accused were arrested earlier, but Gaffar evaded arrest despite several police raids. He was declared a proclaimed offender by a Delhi court in April 2022," a senior police officer said.The accused was also wanted in a March shooting case where he allegedly shot and injured a man before going into hiding.After police put sustained pressure on his family and network, Gaffar appeared at Tis Hazari Court to surrender but was apprehended by the police team before he could do so.During questioning, Gaffar revealed he operated a water tanker supply business in Burari with his brother and had a drinking habit. He confessed to both the gang rape incident and the recent shooting.The arrest came after a dedicated team was formed to track down the accused who had been absconding for over a year and a half.