Gangs of Sangam Vihar: Younger brother of murder accused shot at

Three persons of two separate gangs of the Sangam Vihar resettlement colony have been killed in the last five months over a fight for control of the illegal drug peddling and land grabbing business, said the sources.

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“Azharuddin was attacked at about 9.30 pm Sunday, when one of the assailants came to his house looking for him. After a conversation which lasted a few minutes, Azharuddin was seen stepping out of his house with the man. Two more men joined them. Minutes later, one of them whipped out a pistol and allegedly opened fire at Azharuddin. As he tried to escape, one of the bullets grazed his neck and he collapsed on the ground,” a police officer said, adding the trio then
ran away.

Azharuddin was rushed to AIIMS Trauma Centre, where he is recuperating after surgery, said the police.

Police sources said, “In his complaint, Azharuddin alleged he was shot at by a local resident of Deoli, Ashu, who is reportedly an associate of gang leader Ravi Gangwal.”

The incident follows close on the heels of the murder of 22-year-old history sheeter, Iqbal. He was shot dead in South Delhi’s Khirki Extension area allegedly by three bike-borne assailants two weeks ago.

Investigations suggest Iqbal was killed by contract killers hired by associates of Raju Baba.

Police suspect Iqbal’s killing is retribution for Raju’s murder. Raju was allegedly shot by rival Deepak Pandit and his associates. Pandit was a member of the Ajay Chhotu gang. After Pandit’s arrest, Iqbal led the gang, said a police officer.

Sources said, initially, the rivalry in the colony was over control of pickpocket gangs. Over the years, it turned into a fight for control over illegal betting, illicit liquor, drug peddling, water supply, cable TV connections and land mafia.

Pandit and many of his associates are currently lodged in Tihar Jail. Rival leader Gangwal and many of his aides too are in jail. Sources said the gangs could be calling the shots from inside the jail. This was suspected when ‘members’ the Gangwal gang attacked residents of blocks B and C of Sangam Vihar on Janmashtami.

The tussle has been on for many years, but it flared up this year after Chhotu and his associates allegedly killed two persons from Gangwal’s gang, Anku and Sumit.

Chhotu was later arrested by the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch and sent to Tihar, where he was murdered.