In a major breakthrough against organized crime, the Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested a key member of the Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu gang at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. The accused, identified as Manoj Rathee (33), had been absconding abroad for nearly two years and was a proclaimed offender in multiple cases, including the high-profile murder of a property dealer in Najafgarh.
The Arrest Operation
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Interception: Rathee, a resident of Bahadurgarh (Jhajjar district, Haryana), was intercepted at the airport on January 9 based on a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against him. However, the arrest was officially detailed by officials on Monday.
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Background: Rathee reportedly came into contact with gangster Kapil Sangwan in 2019. He was allegedly involved in the 2021 murder of a property dealer in Najafgarh, executed on Sangwan’s instructions.
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Fugitive Status: After being released on bail in the murder case, Rathee fled the country in early 2024. A non-bailable warrant was issued against him by the Patiala House Court in March 2024 after his name surfaced in an arms supply racket involving suppliers from Madhya Pradesh.
Criminal Network & Arms Supply According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Amit Kaushik, Rathee continued to operate for the gang from overseas.
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Modus Operandi: He was instrumental in arranging illegal weapons for the Nandu gang from suppliers in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. His involvement was re-confirmed in February 2024 when two arms suppliers—Ankit Mishra and Jitendra Rajput—were arrested with 12 illegal pistols intended for Rathee’s network.
Investigation The police are currently interrogating Rathee to map out the “forward and backward linkages” of the gang’s operations and to identify other associates who were receiving instructions from him while he was abroad.
