Controversial past of encounter specialist

New Delhi: Delhi Police Crime Branch's ACP Rajbir Singh — who was involved in 56 encounters — was shot dead in Gurgaon on Monday night following a longstanding property dispute.

The property dealer who confessed to having shot Singh, Vijay Bharadwaj, says the extreme step was taken after the top cop threatened to kill him over a property dispute.

"I owed Rajbir Singh some money and there was a lot of pressure on me for the past few months. I had earlier tried to commit suicide as well, but he got my suicide note before I could commit suicide. Today was the payment date and I did not have any money on me. He threatened to kill me," says Bhardwaj.

According to the police, ACP Singh reached the office of Vijay Associates between 9 and 10 pm on Monday night. Both had a heated argument and Vijay allegedly shot him thrice.

While Vijay says he surrendered, police say he was nabbed.

Gurgaon Police Commissioner, Mahinder Lal says, "We caught Bhradwaj on Monday night."

ACP Rajbir Singh joined the police force in 1982 as a sub inspector and since then was involved in 56 encounters. He was involved in investigating high-profile cases like the Parliament attack and the Red Fort shoot out.

He was also part of the Ansal Plaza shootings in which two suspected Pakistani terrorists were killed.

Singh was earlier transferred out of the Special Cell following allegations of corruption. Later he returned after being given a clean chit

The ACP had a controversial career and he enjoyed Z-class security. The big question arises now is: how did Vijay Bhardwaj manage to shoot Rajbir Singh despite the ACP's security status?

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