Delhi: Arms supplier wanted in Nangal-based VHP leader’s murder arrested in Ludhiana

New Delhi [India], August 19 (ANI): In a joint operation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Delhi Police arrested an arms supplier, identified as Dharminder Kumar, who is wanted in the murder case of Nangal-based Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vikas Bagga.

Dharminder Kumar alias Kunal, a resident of Ludhiana, Punjab, had procured weapons from Madhya Pradesh that were used in the assassination of Vikas Prabhakar alias Vikas Bagga, the President of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Nangal Unit.

Vikas Bagga was shot dead by unidentified assailants at his confectionery shop in Nangal, Punjab on April 13, 2024.

The case was initially registered at Police Station Nangal, District Rupnagar, Punjab, and later transferred to the NIA in May, 2024 due to its severity.

Based on specific input from a source, the team of the Special Cell, South Western Range tracked Dharminder Kumar alias Kunal in the Ludhiana area of Punjab and the input was shared with the NIA.

Accordingly, a joint team of Special Cell under the supervision of Manoj C IPS, DCP Special Cell and NIA under the supervision of SP NIA, Chandigarh, apprehended Dharminder Kumar alias Kunal from Sherpur Kalan, Ludhiana, Punjab.

Upon interrogation, he confessed to his involvement in the crime. The accused, Dharminder Kumar, has previously been involved in the supply of illegal arms from Madhya Pradesh and has had two cases under the Arms Act registered against him in Madhya Pradesh and Punjab.

He revealed that in April 2024, after being released from jail, he came into contact through social media with a person based in a Middle Eastern country who instructed him to arrange weapons.

He then procured the weapons from Madhya Pradesh and supplied them to the assailants. He has been arrested by the NIA under sections 302/34/120B IPC, 25/27 Arms Act and 16(1)(a)/17/18 and the 20 UA(P) Act, 1967.

Earlier in April this year, the Punjab Police arrested two people who were part of a terror module backed by Pakistan-based terrorists in connection with the murder case of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vikas Bagga.

Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav had said that the Rupnagar police and State Special Operation Cell, in a major breakthrough, solved the murder case in less than three days.

The accused, identified as Mandeep Kumar alias Mangi and Surinder Kumar alias Rikka, were arrested in the case.

Police teams also recovered two .32-bore pistols–including one used in the crime–along with 16 live cartridges and 1 empty cartridge, besides, impounding the scooter used in the crime, DGP Gaurav Yadav added.

He further said that both the shooters were in contact with foreign-based handlers via encrypted apps, and the latter had shared the location and photo of the target with them, besides, arranging funds and weapons to execute this killing.

In this regard, an FIR was registered on April 13 under sections 302 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act at Nangal Police Station.