Mumbai Court Acquits Police in 2016 Fake Encounter of Gangster Sandeep Gadoli
A Mumbai sessions court delivered a significant verdict on Friday, acquitting members of the Gurgaon Police and their civilian accomplices in the 2016 fake encounter case of Haryana gangster Sandeep Gadoli. The incident, which occurred at the Airport Metro Hotel in Andheri, was originally reported by police as a retaliatory shootout in self-defence, but the prosecution had argued it was a staged operation.
Court Finds Insufficient Evidence for Premeditated Murder
The court ruled that there was not enough evidence to prove the killing was a premeditated contract killing orchestrated by a rival gang leader and executed by rogue officers. This decision came after extensive legal proceedings where the prosecution presented forensic and ballistic reports alleging that Gadoli was unarmed and lying on his bed when he was shot.
According to the prosecution, on February 7, 2016, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Pradyumn Yadav entered Room 107 of the hotel. While the police claimed Gadoli opened fire first, investigators found that a country-made pistol was planted near his body and shots were fired into the hotel walls to simulate a crossfire, suggesting a cover-up.
Alleged Conspiracy Involving Honey Trap and Code Words
The case involved a complex alleged conspiracy with a "honey trap" element. Divya Pahuja, who accompanied Gadoli on his trip to Mumbai, was accused of providing constant location updates to her mother, Sonia Pahuja, who acted as a middleman. Phone transcripts revealed the use of medical code words to coordinate the hit team.
- Sonia allegedly instructed Divya to say "Main thik hu" (I am fine) to indicate Gadoli was alone.
- The phrase "Main dawai leke aayi hu" (I have taken the medicine) was used to signal that Gadoli was with her and the team should move in.
Motive Rooted in Gang War and Jail Mastermind
The motive behind the killing was allegedly rooted in a gang war for supremacy in Gurgaon. Binder Gujjar, a rival criminal, masterminded the hit from jail to eliminate Gadoli, whom he blamed for the death of his driver. Binder’s brother, Manoj Gujjar, served as the primary link between the incarcerated mastermind, the Pahuja family, and the police team.
Call Detail Records (CDR) allegedly confirmed constant communication between the police and the Gujjar family leading up to the shooting, further implicating the network involved in the plot.
Acquittal and Recent Developments
While Divya Pahuja was killed in early 2024 following her release on bail, the court acquitted the remaining accused. This includes PSI Pradyumn Yadav, several constables, and Sonia Pahuja, citing lack of conclusive evidence to convict them for the alleged fake encounter.
The verdict has sparked discussions on police accountability and the challenges in prosecuting such high-profile cases, highlighting the complexities of legal proceedings in encounter-related incidents.
