Delhi Crime Branch arrests Najafgarh history sheeter in attempt-to-murder case
Synopsis
Delhi's Crime Branch nabbed a history sheeter with 11 criminal cases — including murder — after he allegedly shot a bystander in the leg during a street assault in Najafgarh. The accused had been absconding since April before a tip-off led police to lay a trap at a Delhi hospital, where he was caught after a chase.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested Gaurav alias Masalewala , 31 , a Najafgarh history sheeter, on 20 May .
He was wanted for allegedly firing a pistol at a complainant on 23 April , causing a gunshot injury to the victim's leg.
The accused has a record of at least 11 criminal cases , including murder, robbery, and snatching.
Arrest was made at Deen Dayal Hospital, Hari Nagar , following a tip-off, after a brief chase and resistance.
The operation was led by Inspector Gulshan Yadav under DCP Crime Branch Harsh Indora and ACP Bhagwati Prasad .
Co-accused Prince Mittal , who was present during the assault, reportedly remains at large.
Delhi Police's Crime Branch arrested a history sheeter wanted in an attempt-to-murder case in the Najafgarh area on Wednesday, 20 May, officials confirmed. The accused, identified as Gaurav alias Love Sharma alias Sandeep alias Masalewala, 31, a resident of Najafgarh, has a record spanning at least 11 criminal cases, including murder, robbery, and snatching.
The Incident That Triggered the FIR
According to police, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against the accused at Najafgarh police station following an incident on 23 April. The complainant stated that while visiting a friend's home, he was alerted by the friend's niece that two men were quarrelling with her uncle. On stepping outside, he found Gaurav and one Prince Mittal assaulting his friend.
When the complainant attempted to intervene, Gaurav allegedly drew a pistol and fired at him, causing a gunshot injury to his leg. Both accused then fled the scene on a motorcycle. The injured complainant was rushed to Brahm Shakti Sanjivani Hospital, Bahadurgarh for treatment.
How the Arrest Was Made
Following the firing incident, Head Constable Paramjeet received a tip-off that Gaurav, who had been absconding since the attack, was likely to appear at Deen Dayal Hospital in Delhi's Hari Nagar area. Acting on this intelligence, DCP Crime Branch Harsh Indora constituted a specialised team under the Anti-Gang Squad (AGS), Crime Branch.
The operation was led by Inspector Gulshan Yadav, comprising Sub-Inspectors Chetan and Rajesh, ASIs Mahesh Tyagi and Ashok, and Head Constables Paramjeet, Badri Prasad, Arvind, and Hukam, under the supervision of ACP (AGS) Bhagwati Prasad. A trap was swiftly laid at Deen Dayal Hospital, and after a brief chase and physical resistance, the team successfully apprehended the accused.
Criminal History of the Accused
Police records confirm that Gaurav alias Masalewala is a habitual offender with involvement in no fewer than 11 criminal cases, covering serious offences including murder, robbery, and snatching. His multiple aliases — Love Sharma, Sandeep, and Masalewala — indicate a pattern of evading identification, a common trait among repeat offenders in the capital's western districts.
What Happens Next
The accused has been taken into custody and is expected to face formal charges in connection with the 23 April shooting. Investigators are also likely to probe his alleged associate Prince Mittal, who remains at large. The arrest is being viewed as a step toward curbing gang-related violence in the Najafgarh belt, where such incidents have drawn repeated attention from law enforcement.
Point of View
And the pattern of multiple aliases points to systemic gaps in identity tracking for repeat offenders. That the breakthrough came from a hospital tip-off rather than proactive surveillance underscores how reactive, rather than preventive, the response remains. Co-accused Prince Mittal still being at large is the loose thread that will define whether this arrest is a genuine disruption or just one node removed from an active network.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested by Delhi Crime Branch in the Najafgarh case?
Delhi Police's Crime Branch arrested Gaurav alias Love Sharma alias Sandeep alias Masalewala , a 31-year-old resident of Najafgarh, on 20 May. He was wanted for allegedly shooting a man in the leg during an assault on 23 April.
What criminal record does the accused have?
According to police, the accused is a history sheeter with involvement in at least 11 criminal cases, including murder, robbery, and snatching. His multiple aliases suggest a pattern of evading identification across cases.
How did Delhi Police locate and arrest the accused?
A tip-off received by Head Constable Paramjeet indicated that the accused would visit Deen Dayal Hospital in Hari Nagar. A Crime Branch team laid a trap there and apprehended him after a brief chase and resistance.
What happened during the 23 April incident in Najafgarh?
On 23 April, the accused and one Prince Mittal were allegedly assaulting a man when a bystander intervened. Gaurav allegedly drew a pistol and fired at the bystander, injuring his leg. Both accused fled on a motorcycle before the victim was taken to Brahm Shakti Sanjivani Hospital, Bahadurgarh.
Is co-accused Prince Mittal also in custody?
As per available information, Prince Mittal, who was allegedly present during the 23 April assault, has not been reported arrested. Investigators are expected to pursue his apprehension as part of the ongoing case.
