New Delhi: A small-time builder who also had a criminal record was shot dead in the national capital early on Sunday, police said adding that five members of a gang have been arrested in connection with the murder. Raju Ramakant Rao was riding a motorcycle around 2 a.m. when he was shot in south Delhi's Greater Kailash area.

"Raju, a small-time builder, died on the spot after being shot by the assailants who were driving an SUV," a police official said. Police arrested 37-year-old gangster Deepak Gautam aka Pandit, and four members of his gang Kapil Panwar (21), Shanker (28), Shan Mohammad aka Shanu (23), and Birender aka Bindu (34) in connection with the murder.

Panwar is a resident of Deoli, Shan and Birender of south Delhi's Tigri Colony, while main accused Deepak and Shanker are residents of Sangam Vihar, police said. According to police, Deepak was wanted in many cases of murder and attempt to murder in the city. Police seized four locally-made pistols with 22 cartridges and three mobile phones from their possession, as well as the SUV used in the crime. "Deceased Rao also had a criminal record and was involved in various cases registered at Ambedkar Nagar, Okhla and Sangam Vihar police stations," an official said. "This incident took place as a consequence of long-standing rivalry. All the accused arrested in this case are notorious criminals," he said.

(IANS)