Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Police arrested a criminal, on whose head they had announced a reward of 50 paise for threatening a witness in a murder case, an official said. The city police have launched a unique campaign to announce token rewards against absconding criminals.
DCP (zone-1) Vinod Kumar Meena said that accused Saurabh Gaur alias Bittu (24) was arrested from Dream city extension colony in Gandhi Nagar area. Gaur, who is a prime accused in a murder case, had fled after threatening a witness in the case in Malharganj area to change his statement in court.
A reward of 50 paise was announced for Gaur's arrest as per his "status" in the eyes of police, he added. Meena further said that they received information from a citizen about Gaur’s whereabouts which was verified by their intelligence unit and led them to the accused. When police reached his door, he jumped from the balcony to evade arrest and sustained leg injuries. The police will also take action against the man who had given shelter to the accused.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly informed cops about the Tandava Gang, Mastano Ki Toli, Dixit Gang and police will take legal action against the suspected accused involved in the gang. "We are announcing token rewards of nominal amounts on absconding criminals. The purpose of this is to send a message to criminals that no matter how big a goon they think they are, the police will arrest them and take strict action," Meena said.
After an advertisement announcing a reward of 50 paisa for Gaur's arrest was circulated on social media, he closed his Instagram account for a few days to avoid "embarrassment", he said. 11 criminal cases are registered against Gaur at different police stations in the city. On November 29, the city police had issued a poster, announcing a bounty of mere Rs 1 on two habitual offenders—Tabrez and Bittu.
Bittu has been arrested while Tabrez is still at large and police are monitoring the social media accounts of the accused to arrest him and his other accomplices.
