New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS): Three people have been arrested in connection with the murder of an alleged criminal who was shot dead close to his house here, police said on Wednesday.

On Monday night, a 25-year-old man who was battling criminal cases was stabbed multiple times and shot dead in Nand Nagri in east Delhi allegedly by four persons. He was identified as Vicky.

Those arrested have been identified as Sumit (29) and Raj (22), both residents of Nand Nagri, and Ajay Tyagi (31) of Modinagar in Uttar Pradesh. The fourth accomplice is absconding.

"The accused were arrested from Loni area of Ghaziabad. The three had been absconding since committing the crime," Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Thakur said.

"Vicky was involved in a scuffle with Sumit after the latter allegedly commented that Vicky was a bad influence on children in Nand Nagri. A scuffle broke out after which Vicky conspired and planned to eliminate Vicky," said Thakur.

The police said the accused had been arrested on charge of murder. A vehicle used in the crime has been recovered.