After trader Sunil Sahu was murdered and robbed at Sadar on January 27, SSP Akhil Kumar had said that since the gang could not get a large booty either on that day or when another jeweller Rakesh Kapoor was killed, it could attempt another robbery soon.

Thus, directions were issued to intensify patrolling in areas, but the criminals struck again on Friday and robbed businessman Rakesh Thukral. He was also shot in the chest and is at present undergoing treatment in the CSMMU Trauma Centre.

As Thukral is still unconscious, the police are yet to record his statement. “Doctors said that his condition is improving. We have picked up a few suspects and are questioning them,” said A K Rai, SP (East).

According to the police, the gang in question consists of three men who ride a Pulsar motorcycle. They have started wearing helmets after they committed the first murder on January 22. They also believe that the gang is from one of the neighbouring districts. “We have contacted the police of other districts and teams have also been formed to arrest the criminals,” said Kumar.

However, the gang had used different weapons in each of the robberies. While a prohibited .38 bore weapon was used in the January 22 incident, a .32 bore pistol was used in the January 27 crime. In Friday’s incident, a 315 bore weapon was used.