The Delhi police special cell has arrested two alleged sharpshooters linked to the notorious Tillu Tajpuria gang, who were reportedly planning to attack a member of the rival Gogi gang amid the long-standing feud between the two criminal groups.
Arrest and Seizure
The accused have been identified as Jatin (24) and Vinay Mann alias Bittu (33). Police seized two pistols, seven live cartridges, and a mobile phone allegedly used to communicate with overseas-based gang handlers. The arrests were made on Monday following a tip-off while the accused were allegedly conducting reconnaissance and planning to kill a member of the Gogi gang.
Background of the Feud
According to police, Bittu joined forces with the Tillu Tajpuria gang in 2017 after his father, Devender Singh, was allegedly killed by Jitender Mann alias Gogi and his associates. Devender was suspected of acting as an informer for the Tillu gang. One accused was arrested in connection with the murder but was later acquitted by the trial court.
Seeking revenge for his father's death, Bittu allegedly developed close ties with the Tillu gang. In 2019, he is said to have conspired to kill a person whom he believed had informed Gogi about his father. Although the target was shot at, he survived the attack.
Police Operation and Insights
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Narra Chaitanya said the interrogation of the accused revealed the gang's modus operandi and provided crucial insights into the structure and functioning of the organized crime network. "The operation uncovered significant details about the gang's activities, including the role of overseas-based gang leaders in coordinating criminal operations through encrypted communication platforms. By carrying out this operation, Delhi police successfully foiled planned killings on the streets of Delhi, thereby averting serious incidents arising out of gang rivalry," the DCP said.
History of the Rivalry
Jitender Gogi and Sunil Balyan alias Tillu Tajpuria were once among Delhi's most feared gangsters. Though both have been killed, the violent rivalry between their gangs has continued since 2014. Gogi was shot dead inside Delhi's Rohini Court complex on September 24, 2021. His arch-rival, Tillu Tajpuria, was murdered inside a high-security ward of Tihar Jail on May 2, 2023.
The Delhi police special cell's timely intervention has prevented further escalation of violence in the ongoing gang war, highlighting the persistent threat posed by organized crime networks operating across state lines and with international connections.
