In a span of just 24 hours, Delhi has witnessed a series of shootings in what appears to be a rising wave of extortion attempts. Three separate incidents occurred at a second-hand luxury car showroom, a hotel, and a sweet shop. While no injuries were reported, the shootings have sparked fear and concerns over the growing influence of extortion gangs in the capital.
20 Rounds Fired at Luxury Car Showroom
The first incident took place at “Car Street Mini,” a second-hand luxury car showroom located in southwest Delhi’s Naraina, just a kilometre from the Naraina police station. According to officials, three men entered the showroom and fired at least 20 rounds, causing panic in the area. The shooters damaged four luxury cars, including two BMWs, a Mercedes, and a Mini Cooper.
While fleeing, the attackers snatched a salesman’s phone and threw it 100 meters away from the showroom. They left behind a slip with the words “Bhau Gang, Since 2020,” a reference to notorious gangster Himanshu Bhau, who fled India in 2022 and is believed to be in Portugal. Bhau had previously claimed responsibility for a murder at a food outlet in Delhi.
The Bhau Gang is also suspected to be behind a similar shooting in May at a car showroom in West Delhi’s Tilak Nagar, where a demand of ₹5 crore was made from the owners of the ‘Fusion Cars’ showroom.
Firing at Hotel Near Airport
The second shooting occurred at Hotel Impress in Mahipalpur, near the Indira Gandhi International Airport. A bike-borne shooter fired 5-6 rounds, damaging the hotel’s glass gate. The police suspect that the attack was part of an extortion attempt to take control of the hotel.
Last year, a man had threatened the hotel owner in the name of Canada-based gangster Goldie Brar. Brar, along with Lawrence Bishnoi, is also accused of orchestrating a shooting outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s Mumbai residence. Bishnoi is currently lodged in a jail in Gujarat.
Sweet Shop Targeted in Third Attack
The third incident was reported from Nangloi, in West Delhi, where gunmen opened fire at a local sweet shop. Police found a slip at the scene, containing the name of jailed gangster Deepak Boxer. The authorities believe this too was a part of an extortion bid.
Gang-Linked Violence on the Rise
The three shootings appear to be part of a broader pattern of extortion attempts by organized crime gangs, some of which have ties to international criminals. Police have identified the shooters in the Naraina showroom attack and have registered cases against them. However, the rising influence of these gangs—such as the Bhau Gang and Goldie Brar’s network—has raised alarms in Delhi’s business and security circles.
The police have ramped up efforts to track down the culprits and ensure the safety of businesses and citizens. However, with gang violence on the rise, concerns over the law-and-order situation in the capital remain high.
Sources by Agencies