NEW DELHI: A 19-year-old female associate of notorious gangster Himanshu Bhau has been apprehended by Delhi Police's Special Cell. Annu Dhankar was arrested near the Nepal border at Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh, police claimed on Friday, denying reports that she had surrendered to the cops.
Dhankar was wanted in connection with the murder of Aman Joon, an alleged sympathiser of a rival gang, at the Burger King Restaurant in Rajouri Garden, southwest Delhi, on June 18.
Three individuals had arrived at the restaurant on a motorcycle and two of them had entered the premises. Firing around 20-25 rounds at close range, they killed Joon on the spot.
An investigation revealed that Dhankar lured Joon to the restaurant through social media and provided crucial information to the gunmen who carried out the murder.
Dhankar's involvement in criminal activities began with a shooting incident at the Maturam Halwai Shop in Gohana, Sonipat, Haryana, on Jan 21. She was in contact with gang leaders Bhau and Sahil Ritolia, who promised to arrange her immigration to the United States along with a lavish lifestyle.
After the murder, Dhankar went into hiding, but her movements were tracked through various sources. She was last seen at Katra railway station on June 19. Since then, her movements had not been traceable. Two men accused in the murder, Ashish and Vicky, were killed in an encounter with police on July 12.
The Special Cell team, comprising inspectors Puran Pant, Ravi Tushir, Kulvir and Vikram, led by ACP Rahul Kumar Singh, was tracking Dhankar.
Finally, on Oct 24, the team received specific information regarding her movements near the Nepal border and arrested her. She was being brought to Delhi for further proceedings.
Dhankar's profile indicates a history of criminal involvement besides the Maturam Halwai Shop firing and the Burger King murder. She has been charged under the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act for murder, conspiracy and attempt to murder.
Police found that Dhankar made a fake account in the name of Preeti on Instagram to befriend Joon. She was operating at least 15 accounts — all in different names — on the social media app.
On June 18, after Joon's killing, Dhankar vacated her paying guest accommodation in Mukherjee Nagar, asking the landlord to give her security deposit to a friend.
She then went to the railway station to board a train to Katra in Jammu. The following day she stayed in a guest house in Katra and its owner told the cops that she used the hotel Wi-Fi before going to the railway station.
The CCTV footage of the station shows Dhankar, wearing a neon green top, black trousers and a scarf, hurriedly walking across the platform. She is seen carrying a trolley bag besides a backpack.