In a shocking incident that has sent ripples across the national capital, a businessman narrowly escaped an assassination attempt after bike-borne assailants opened fire on his car and residence in Delhi's Rohini area on Friday evening. The attackers fired more than two dozen rounds, leaving the vehicle perforated with bullet holes in a brazen extortion-linked strike.
The Attack and Immediate Aftermath
The terrifying assault took place just days after the businessman, who has interests in the cardboard and real estate sectors, received an extortion call demanding a staggering Rs 3 crore. The incident was reported to police via a PCR call at 5:23 pm. The victim's blue Toyota Innova bore the brunt of the attack, with its front windscreen shattered and approximately 25 bullet marks found at the scene. Miraculously, the businessman emerged from the ordeal completely unharmed.
Following the shooting, authorities from the local Begumpur police station swiftly registered a First Information Report (FIR) on charges of extortion and attempted murder. Crime and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams were deployed to the location to collect crucial evidence, including empty cartridges, to determine the calibre of weapons used in the attack.
Himanshu Bhau's Shadow and Investigation Angles
Investigators probing the case believe the daring attack signals the resurgence of notorious gangster Himanshu Bhau, indicating his syndicate is back in operation after a short hiatus. Bhau is currently suspected to be residing in the United States. However, police are also exploring the possibility that a local gang might be misusing Bhau's infamous name to extort money from the businessman.
Police sources indicated that the modus operandi, characterized by the excessive use of bullets, strongly points towards Bhau's involvement. The groundwork for this violent episode appears to have been laid between December 26 and 29 last year, when the complainant received multiple WhatsApp calls and voice messages from an international number.
"A caller, identifying as a major gangster, demanded a substantial sum of money and issued threats," revealed a senior police officer. The victim initially dismissed these threats as a prank and did not report them to the authorities.
The International Manhunt and Gang's History
Himanshu Bhau and his close aide, Sahil Ritolia, have been declared absconders by a court, with Interpol issuing a red notice against them. A request for their trial in absentia has also been moved, allowing legal proceedings to continue even in their absence. Indian agencies have been attempting to extradite Bhau and Ritolia for over two years.
In a significant development last year, Bhau was briefly detained in the US on a request from Indian agencies but was subsequently released due to a lack of proven charges. Originally from Rohtak in Haryana, Bhau has been active in Delhi since 2022. He allegedly obtained a passport using forged documents in 2022 and fled the country, first to Dubai, then to Portugal, and is now believed to be in the US.
In a related crackdown, the crime branch booked 10 members of Bhau's gang under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) in October of last year, highlighting the ongoing efforts to dismantle the network.
