New Delhi: The primary line of investigation in the case of the killing of a real estate businessman is centred on the rivalry between UK-based gangster Kapil Sangwan and incarcerated gangster Manjeet Mahal, sources said. It is also being probed if this was a case of mistaken identity and the businessman’s brother was the actual target.
“It’s possible that Sangwan, alias Nandu, suspected that the brothers were paying Manjeet Mahal or either of them was associated with the gang and hence ordered the killing,” said a police officer from the area.
“The shooters were likely hired on contract. One of them seems to be a hired gun named Shubham, who has a criminal record. He is wanted in cases of attempted murder, etc.,” said an inspector.
“There were two men in the car, one was shooting, and the other was driving the getaway vehicle. There was a B team also comprising two men which was providing backup. So, it looks like a contract killing also,” he added.
A strong lead for the cops is the registration number of the Swift car used by the shooters. “We tried to trace the owner, but it seems it has changed hands. The car appears to have been sourced from Karol Bagh, and one Shubham had it briefly. We will trace the owners and quiz them,” said a cop. It is also being checked if the number plate was fake.
According to investigators, it was in 2015 that the rivalry between Mahal and Sangwan started. “There was this character named Nafe Singh, alias Mantri (Manjeet Mahal’s associate), who lent some money to one Sunil Doctor (Sangwan’s brother-in-law). In Dec 2015, Doctor was shot dead by Mantri and his accomplices in the Najafgarh area when he didn’t repay the loan. Hours later, Sangwan launched an attack on Mantri’s house in Chhawla and killed the latter’s father, Harkishan Singh,” an investigator recalled.
Both gangs have since continued to kill each other to show dominance in the area, and over 25 people have died in this decade-old gang rivalry. The gangs have even started targeting each other’s clients, like it happened in the US between the 60s and 80s, sources pointed out. At present, Mahal and Sangwan’s brother Jyoti Baba are in jail and are operating through their henchmen. A lookout circular has been issued against Sangwan.
In any case, the brazen shooting has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving many to wonder if the killing was a targeted hit or a random act of violence. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are racing to piece together the events leading up to the murder and identify the perpetrators.