Delhi gym owner shooting: gangster Hashim Baba made ‘judicial confession’, claimed Lawrence Bishnoi hatched conspiracy from Sabarmati jail

“In his judicial confession, he alleged that he was approached by Bishnoi, who is lodged in Sabarmati jail, on VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), or internet calls, around three-four months ago and discussed a plan to eliminate Shah. He asked him to arrange some shooters and also provide all logistical support to the shooters,” a source said.
Bishnoi has been lodged in the Sabarmati jail in Ahmedabad since August 2023.

Hashim allegedly said there was no specific reason, “but cumulative reasons” behind Shah’s murder. He allegedly said Bishnoi assigned one of his associates, Randeep — from Haryana and currently based in the US — to arrange shooters and send them to meet Hashim’s associate, Mohammed Sajid, the source claimed.

“They decided to eliminate Shah to send a message to his Dubai-based businessman friend for not giving them protection money and also (because) Shah was openly flaunting his association with their rivals. Shah was a close associate of a businessman who runs several call centres in Delhi. A few months ago, Bishnoi had demanded protection money from him (the businessman). After receiving the extortion demand, the businessman approached Shah and tried to negotiate the extortion amount. It came to light that the amount was not paid to Bishnoi,” the source added.

In addition, a man named Deepak Madrasi, an associate of South Delhi-based gangster Ravi Gangwal was allegedly spotted with Shah on several occasions. “In March 2021, Hashim’s aide, Shahrukh, along with others, had allegedly opened fire at Madrasi, but he managed to escape despite receiving gunshot injuries. Shah was told to ask Madrasi and a witness to change their statements. However, during the trial, the duo did not do so and gave their statements,” the source said.

Shah was shot dead allegedly by four armed assailants outside his gym in G K when two police personnel were waiting for him inside his gym. During the investigation, the police found four mobile phones in Shah’s possession but could gain access to only three. Police claimed they had found multiple call recordings, including a few with the two policemen.

The shooters, Madhur Motta and Raju, are still absconding in the case. Further, the police have found that the shooters allegedly stayed at a rented accommodation in Jamia Nagar before the attack. They also conducted a recce of the victim and a leading nightclub owner, an associate of the Dubai-based businessman.