Four murders in 8 months: Who is Romil Vohra, the 21-year-old gunned down in police encounter

Romil, who had a reward of Rs 3.10 lakh on his head – announced by the Haryana government – sustained multiple gunshot injuries during a joint operation by the Delhi Police Special Cell and the Haryana Police’s Special Task Force at Kishan Garh on Tuesday morning.

Police said he was travelling on a motorcycle when police teams intercepted him. He allegedly opened fire and was subsequently shot in retaliation. He later succumbed to his injuries. Police have claimed to have recovered a foreign-manufactured pistol from his possession.

Parents in jail

According to the police, Romil’s parents are both currently in jail. His father Kapil Vohra is allegedly involved in the illegal liquor trade in Haryana. “Kapil and Romil’s mother Risha Vohra are currently lodged in a Haryana jail in connection with illegal supply of liquor and cases of conspiracy. Both were arrested by Yamunanagar Police in March,” said an officer.

The officer further said that the local administration had recently issued demolition notices for the family’s two-storey house located at Ashok Vihar in Yamunanagar.

Another police officer said that Romil had been involved in petty fights since his school days. After completing Class 12, he enrolled in a Bachelor of Commerce programme at a college in Yamunanagar. (Express Photo)

Only child, short temper

Another police officer said that Romil had been involved in petty fights since his school days. After completing Class 12, he enrolled in a Bachelor of Commerce programme at a college in Yamunanagar.

During this time, he allegedly came into contact with Noni Rana, who is suspected to be based in Canada currently. Noni and Romil stayed in touch, another officer said.

“Since Romil was already involved in petty crimes, Noni asked him to work for him in October 2024. He then decided to join the Rana brothers’ gang, which was initially led by Kala Rana, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail,” the officer said.

The officer further said that Noni exploited Romil’s short temper to execute his plans. “At Noni’s behest, Romil committed four murders and carried out two firings in Haryana and Punjab within eight months.”

According to the police, the Rana brother gang had earlier claimed responsibility for the murder of liquor baron Shantanu in Kurukshetra on June 13.

Last December, Romil, along with his associates, allegedly gunned down three persons outside a gym in Yamunanagar. Last month, he allegedly opened fire multiple times at an IELTS centre in Yamunanagar in an extortion-related incident.

Rana brothers and Lawrence connection

A police officer said that Kala Rana used to operate in collaboration with the Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate at Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar in Haryana. “He befriended Bishnoi while staying in jail,” the officer added.

For the past few months, his younger brother, Noni, has been running the gang from abroad, following his extradition to India from Bangkok in 2022, the officer further said.

According to the police, Noni was involved in the daring escape of gangster Kuleep Mann alias Fajja from East Delhi’s GTB Hospital in March 2021. This January, the National Investigation Agency had conducted raids at Kala Rana’s residence in Yamunanagar, said police.