Gangster Ashok Rathi shot dead by aides near Ggm

The victim was lodged in Bhondsi jail and was out on parole; although the motive behind the murder remains unclear, the police suspect the involvement of gangster Lilu Dagar

One of Haryana’s most-wanted gangsters, 44-yearold Ashok Rathi, who was out on parole from Bhondsi jail, was shot dead by three of his close associates at his residence in village Alipur, nearly 2.5 km from Bhondsi on Saturday morning, said the police.

According to the police, Rathi, who was lodged in Bhondsi jail since 2014 was out on parole and was at home on Saturday morning when three of his armed associates entered his house and shot at him. The police suspect that one of the motives behind the act was probably a dispute arising out of the murder of a man from their village 22 years ago. He was rushed to a hospital where he died.

One of Haryana’s notorious gangsters, 44-year-old Ashok Rathi, who was out on parole from Bhondsi jail, was shot dead by his three of his close aides at his residence in village Alipur, nearly 2.5 kilometres from Bhondsi on Saturday morning, said the police.

According to the police, Ashok Rathi, who was lodged in Bhondsi jail since 2014 was out on parole and was at home on Saturday morning when three of his accomplices, carrying arms, entered his house and shot at him.

The police suspect that one of the motives behind the act was probably a dispute arising out of the murder of a local man from their village 22 years ago.

Rathi was rushed to a private hospital in Gururgam and underwent a surgery. He was later shifted to another private hospital in Sector 38 and died in the evening.

A case under sections 302 (murder), 120B (conspiracy), 34 (common intention), 452 (trespassing) of the Indian Penal Code(IPC) and relevant sections of the Arms Act has been registered at the Bhondsi police station.

Mahesh alias Nishu, brother of the deceased, said the incident took place around 8am, when he, along with Ashok and another friend Mahesh, was sitting at home and having a conversation. Suddenly Rathi’s close aides, Narender alias Sonu, Dagar alias Bobby and Saleem came to their house and struck up a conversation with them.

“After 15 minutes, without any provocation, the three men got up, took out their pistols and opened fire at my brother on his head, arm, and chest. Before we could react, they fled the spot,” he said.

Hearing the gunshots, family members of the victim and neighbours rushed to his room and found him lying in a pool of blood. They took him to the hospital and later informed the police.

Three of the assailants are close aides of my brother and have been involved in many cases together. What triggered them to commit the murder remains a mystery. MAHESH, brother of the deceased

In the statement recorded before the police, the brother of the victim said they suspect a gangster named Lilu Dagar as the person responsible for the murder.

He was waiting for the right opportunity to kill him.

“Three of the assailants are close aides of my brother and have been involved in many cases together. What triggered them to commit the murder remains a mystery. However, once arrested, they will probably reveal the identity of the individual responsible for the act,” he said.

Preet Pal Sangwan, ACP(crime), said that they

received a call around 8.15am in the morning and a team from Bhondsi police station and a crime team visited the spot and the hospital.

“No CCTV footage has been recovered from the spot but we are conducting an investigation. The suspects will be identified soon,” he said.

According to the police, Rathi was lodged in Bhondsi jail since 2014 and was serving life term for two murders. He is accused of killing his wife Sushma after wiping out almost her entire family. A total of 37 cases are registered against him. These include cases of extortion, attempt to murder, and murder. Of these cases, Rathi has been cleared in 21 cases, and convicted in four. The rest are under investigation.Crime teams have been formed to arrest the suspects who are still at large.

A crime team visited the spot and hospital. No CCTV footage has been recovered from the spot but we are conducting an investigation. The suspects will be identified soon. PREET PAL SANGWAN, ACP (crime)