Cop, electrician who nabbed assailants to be rewarded with Rs 5k each

The Juhu police have arrested Rakesh Barve and Faraz Khan who opened fire at Deepak Bhandari, a businessman, near Irla in Juhu last evening.

The incident took place at around 8 pm, when Bhandari was entering his building after returning from work.

Bhandari, who was hit on his right thigh, was rushed to Irla Nursing Hospital and is believed to be out of danger.

Quick thinking: Constable Suresh Balave nabbed the assailants along with friend Digambar Raut and another resident.

The recces

According to Santosh Dubey, the watchman of the building, Barve and Khan had been following Bhandari for the past three days.

A watchful Dubey told Digambar Raut, an electrician at the building, about them. Raut then informed his friend Suresh Balave, a constable of Juhu police station.

Acting upon the information, Balave headed towards Bhandari's residence.

"The moment I got down from the auto, I heard a gun shot that was aimed at Bhandari.

I immediately alerted Raut and we, along with the help of another person, nabbed them.

Balave added that had he not shouted, the assailants would have shot another round, which could have proved fatal for Bhandari.

The police have announced a cash prize of Rs 5,000 each for Balave and Raut for their brave act.

DCP K M Prassana of Zone X told MiD DAY that both the accused hail from Madhya Pradesh and have several cases registered against them in their native state.

"The reason behind the attack is still not know and the investigation is going on," he added.

Added police sources, it's believed that Khan is related to Madhya Pradesh Congress spo-kesperson Mehjabeen Khan.

However, no one was willing to comment on this.

Quick thinking: Constable Suresh Balave nabbed the assailants along with friend Digambar Raut and another resident.