Singer's aide lured via phone call from UK: Gurugram police
Shokeen, 40, a resident of Kamaruddin Nagar in Delhi, was allegedly called to the location to resolve a financial dispute involving ₹60 lakh that he had lent to Deepak Nandal, police said. While he was waiting outside his car near Palm Hills society, two assailants in delivery executive uniforms shot him dead. Police said more than 15 bullets were pumped into his head, chest, neck, and abdomen, even after he collapsed, indicating a deliberate attempt to instil fear among his associates, including Fazilpuria.
'The caller was also suspected to be Nandal, a close associate of gangster Sunil Sardhaniya,' a senior police officer said, adding both the gangsters hail from Rohtak and are believed to be hiding abroad.
A social media post in Sardhaniya's name has since claimed responsibility for the killing and issued threats to Fazilpuria if he fails to return owed money.
'Prima facie, the call originated from a UK number. It is being verified whether it was a virtual number,' said a senior police officer. Shokeen had three criminal cases against him in Delhi, including land grabbing and assault.
As of now, police believe the number used to call Shokeen genuinely belonged to Nandal. However, they are still verifying whether it was spoofed or generated through a virtual platform to mask the caller's true identity.
Police said Shokeen and Nandal's relationship soured after the latter failed to return the ₹60 lakh borrowed a few years ago. Shokeen's father had submitted a complaint last year alleging life threats from Nandal.
Investigators believe the motive was twofold — to avoid repayment and to intimidate Fazilpuria. Shokeen had helped the singer secure a ₹5 crore loan from Sardhaniya through Nandal, which the gang now reportedly wants repaid. On July 14, gunmen hired by Sardhaniya had opened fire on Fazilpuria in Sector 71, from which he survived. Sardhaniya claimed responsibility online.
ACP (Manesar) Virender Saini said multiple teams are raiding locations, including outside Haryana. 'The murder site was dark and lacked CCTV coverage. We are scanning other footage for clues,' he said.
Despite multiple attempts from HT, Rahul Yadav remains completely unreachable for a statement. He has yet to issue any public statement regarding the recent developments. The singer has been under police protection since July 14, when he survived an attack—security that was deployed within hours of the incident.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Probe Agency Opposes Sanjay Bhandari's Plea Against 'Fugitive Offender' Tag In Delhi High Court
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday opposed in the Delhi High Court a plea of UK-based arms consultant Sanjay Bhandari against a trial court's order declaring him a "fugitive economic offender". The probe agency said when the trial court's order was passed in July, the court was aware about an assessment order showing Rs 655 crore of property was surreptitiously acquired. His counsel and senior advocate Kapil Sibal, however, argued before Justice Neena Bansal Krishna that the prosecution was initiated without completion of assessment proceedings and if the assessment was incomplete, where was the reason to believe that the tax evasion was over Rs 100 crore. "They had no evidence to show that there was a Rs 100 crore tax liability. There has to be reason to believe that the tax liability is more than Rs 100 crore. Now if the assessment is not completed, where is the reason to believe that it is more than Rs 100 crore. This application (to declare him a fugitive) did not lie. It was premature," he submitted. Seeking a stay and quashing of the trial court proceedings, Sibal said Bhandari would be remediless the moment they declare him a fugitive. "They (ED) don't follow the law, they want to declare me a fugitive offender and take over Rs 400-500 crores of my property and don't allow me to file any claim. This is the state of law in this country," he said. Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the ED, said, "When the order was passed the trial court was aware that there was an assessment order showing that Rs 655 crore of property has been surreptitiously acquired and on the date of the order, there was more than Rs 100 crore tax liability and Rs 196 crore of tax evasion is there." The court posted the matter for August 20. The trial court on July 5 declared Bhandari a "fugitive economic offender" on a plea by the ED, an order that allows the agency to confiscate all the assets worth crores of rupees of Bhandari, whose chances to come to India have been virtually nullified after a UK court recently ruled against his extradition. Bhandari's legal team, while opposing the ED's move to get him declared a fugitive offender, claimed its "client's stay could not be called illegal in the UK as he has a legal right to reside in the UK and the government of India is bound by the judgment of the UK court... Bhandari is legally living there, and declaring him a 'fugitive' in that scenario is legally wrong". The trial court said the "extradition attempt may have failed, but it will not make the accused an angel or immune from prosecution for the violation of Indian laws". Bhandari (63) fled to London in 2016, soon after the I-T department raided him in Delhi. The ED filed its first chargesheet against Bhandari in 2020. The agency is probing Bhandari's links with Robert Vadra, the businessman husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. PTI SKV SKV AMK AMK
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Bigg Boss Star Files Complaint Over Death Threats
Dharmasthala: Former Bigg Boss Kannada contestant Rajath Kishan has filed a police complaint on Thursday night, seeking legal action against individuals who sent him death threat messages. The complaint was lodged following his visit to Sowjanya's residence in Dharmasthala on Wednesday. While speaking with Sowjanya's mother and exiting the premises, Rajath allegedly found himself caught in a confrontation with a group of people. The situation escalated, resulting in an assault on three YouTube channel personnel who were present at the scene, with Rajath nearby during the altercation. The threats extended beyond the physical clash, as Rajath revealed that his wife received menacing calls on her WhatsApp number. The case has been transferred to the CEN Police Station in Bengaluru's Western Division, where senior police officials have directed a thorough investigation into the matter. Rajath expressed confidence in the authorities, stating that the police have assured him of taking appropriate legal measures to address the threats. This incident adds to the reality TV star's recent challenges, highlighting concerns about his safety and that of his family. (eom)
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
ED opposes arms consultant's plea on 'fugitive' tag
NEW DELHI: ED on Friday opposed in Delhi HC a plea by UK-based arms consultant Sanjay Bhandari against a trial court order declaring him a "fugitive economic offender". The agency said when the order was passed in July, the trial court was aware of an assessment order showing property worth Rs 655 crore being surreptitiously acquired. Bhandari's counsel, senior advocate Kapil Sibal , contended before Justice Neena Bansal Krishna that the prosecution was initiated without completion of assessment proceedings. "They had no evidence to show that there was a Rs 100 crore tax liability," he submitted. HC said it would hear the matter on Aug 20.
