Panchkula, Dec. 12 -- The Panchkula police crime branch has arrested the mastermind behind the gunpoint taxi robbery and a related murder conspiracy, a 21-year-old Saharanpur native, Hamza, who carried a Rs.5,000 reward. Currently living in Kishanpura, Yamunanagar, he was caught on December 8 and taken on four-day police remand, during which a country-made pistol and two live cartridges were recovered. Hamza is already facing five serious cases, including attempt to murder and Arms Act violations registered in Paonta Sahib.

During questioning, Hamza disclosed the identity of an accomplice, leading to the December 10 arrest of arms supplier Jaswinder Singh alias Jassi, 21, of Paonta Sahib. Jassi was produced in court on Thursday and place...