The joint team also arrested three associates of Pradeep Negi, allegedly involved in more than a dozen of cases of murder, attempt to murder, robbery and dacoity who had come to get him released.
Police said they recovered two country-made pistols of .315 bore along with nine live cartridges at their instance. Nine tablets of sedatives, meant to be used for drugging the police personnel, and one packet of chilli powder, have also been recovered
Information was received that Negi now lodged in Tihar jail would try to escape with the help of his associates from police custody after drugging the police escort team today during his production in Meerut Court, said Yadav.
"Following the tip-off, a team of Special Cell was sent to Meerut to identify his associates and a discreet watch was kept upon suspected associates of Pradeep Negi in the court complex. These three associates of Pradeep Negi were apprehended today with the help of STF Meerut," he said.