Gurgaon: A five-year-old gang rivalry linked to the murder of gangster Ashok Rathi has resurfaced after the crime branch arrested six members of Rohit Godara-Lipin Nehra network and recovered a cache of firearms, including four foreign-made pistols.A police officer said the weapons recovered from the accused were brought into India through Pakistan. Investigators are examining the trail of foreign-made arms and their alleged procurement through Pakistan.The arrests have revived focus on the feud between associates of Rohit Godara-Lipin Nehra gangs and Ashok Rathi gang. Two of the arrested accused — Salim of Hariyaheda and Narender alias Sonu of Sohna’s Alipur — were earlier charged with Rathi’s murder in Nov 2019. Police suspect they and their associates were planning to target members of the rival group again.The rivalry has remained active for years, according to police. The two groups had also clashed inside Bhondsi jail in 2021, extending the feud across prisons, streets and gang networks.“The gang was preparing to carry out extortion and targeted killings in the city and other parts of Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and Delhi-NCR. Acting on the information, the crime branch unit in Sohna arrested Salim, Mohit, Narender alias Sonu and Lalit from Alipur Mor in Bhondsi area on Aug 19. Dayaram was arrested the same day, while Aryan alias Ritesh was arrested from Hariyaheda Mor on Aug 24,” ACP (crime) Lalit Dalal said.Police recovered four foreign-made pistols — one Zigana and three PX30s — along with two Indian-made pistols, a rifle, 33 live cartridges, nine magazines and a Scorpio car. The total value of the seized items has been estimated at Rs 40 lakh.Police said the interrogation revealed that the accused had planned to murder two members of a rival gang. They were purportedly in contact with gang associates operating from abroad and used social media and other communication platforms to coordinate with members in India.The network, according to investigators, recruited both new and old criminals, arranged weapons and shooters, and used extortion money to procure arms and support gang members trying to evade arrest.“The action against gangsters and other criminals will continue until their criminal and financial structure is completely dismantled,” DCP Hitesh Yadav said.The case was registered at Bhondsi police station on Aug 18 under BNS sections 111(3) (anyone who is not directly a member of an organised crime syndicate, but knowingly facilitates conspiracy or an organised crime), 111(4) (a member of a group or syndicate involved in an organised crime) and 111(6) (possession, use, or holding of any property or proceeds derived from an organised crime)The accused have been identified as Salim of Hariyaheda from Sohna; Mohit of Mandak from Aligarh’s Tappal, Narender alias Sonu of Sohna; Lalit of Raniyawas in Alwar, Dayaram of Bhudka in Bilaspur, and Aryan alias Ritesh of Jatwara in Jhajjar.Police records show 21 cases against Narender alias Sonu, 10 against Salim, two against Mohit, four against Aryan alias Ritesh and five against Dayaram. The cases include murder, attempt to murder, extortion, robbery, dacoity, criminal conspiracy, threats and offences under the Arms Act.Police teams are conducting raids to trace other members of the network, weapon suppliers and suspected shooters. Investigators are also probing the alleged Pakistan-linked arms supply chain and the communication channels used by the gang.
