NEW DELHI: A long-running rivalry in south Delhi’s Fatehpur Beri has taken another turn, with police arresting a key conspirator nearly a year after dairy businessman Ratan Lohia was gunned down in a barrage of nearly 70 rounds.The accused has been identified as Rambir Lohia, 52, a resident of Fatehpur Beri and the father of businessman Arun Lohia, who was allegedly shot dead by Ratan’s son, Deepak, in May last year.Police sources said investigators recovered footage showing Rambir allegedly sitting with the shooters and his relative Kamal before Ratan’s murder. The footage was sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), which, according to police, confirmed that it had not been tampered with and predated the murder.Investigators also gathered other evidence and leads against Rambir, eventually leading to his arrest, sources said.The rivalry, according to police, has now claimed three lives and dates back to a dispute over a plot of land.The feud began escalating in 2024 when Ratan’s son, Deepak, was allegedly attacked in connection with the longstanding property dispute. An attempted murder case was subsequently registered against 24-year-old businessman Arun Lohia, who was named as the prime suspect.The conflict took a deadly turn in May 2025, when Deepak and his associates allegedly opened fire on an SUV near Chhatarpur Metro station. Arun, who was returning home with his father Rambir, was killed in the firing.Police subsequently arrested three people, including Deepak and Ajay, in connection with the murder.Months later, the violence returned to the Lohia family. On November 30, dairy businessman Ratan Lohia was shot dead near his home while he was on his way to his dairy in Aya Nagar. His family alleged that nearly 70 rounds had been fired at him. Police subsequently arrested a known associate of Ratan, along with other suspects, in connection with the murder.The latest killing in the chain took place on September 14, when Vijay, Ajay’s brother, was shot dead near Hansa Chowk.According to police, the incident took place around 10am. After allegedly confirming Vijay’s movements, the shooters opened fire on him outside his gym.Following raids at several locations across Delhi-NCR, police arrested Deepak, Yogesh and Ajay in connection with Vijay’s murder.With Rambir’s arrest, investigators are now examining the wider conspiracy and the links between the successive killings, as the bitter rivalry between the two sides continues to unfold through multiple murder cases.
