Five Arrested in Bawana businessman murder, links to Lawrence Bishnoi gang emerge

Five members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang were arrested on Sunday in connection with the murder of a businessman in outer north Delhi’s Bawana industrial area after a brief police encounter, officials said.

Acting on specific intelligence, police intercepted the suspects, who allegedly opened fire while trying to escape . Police retaliated, injuring one accused in the leg. Three were arrested on the spot and two later , taking the total to five. No police personnel were seriously hurt.

The victim, Vaibhav Gandhi (35) , a plastic granules manufacturer , was shot dead on February 9 at around 12.50 pm near his factory in Sector 4 of the DSIDC industrial area. The attackers, who arrived on motorcycles , tried to snatch his car keys and laptop bag before chasing him for 40-50 metres while firing multiple rounds . A bullet hit his chin, and he was declared dead at hospital.

CCTV footage showed four assailants trailing Gandhi moments before the attack and fleeing immediately after the shooting. Police recovered around ₹1 crore in cash from his car , pointing to a possible extortion or financial dispute motive linked to gang rivalry.

A day after the murder, a social media post allegedly issued in the name of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility, warning of similar consequences for those obstructing gang operations. The post also mentioned other gangs, including those of Jitender Gogi Maan, Hashim Baba and Kala Rana.

Police said the accused used illegal country-made pistols and that weapons and motorcycles have been recovered. The arrested men are part of a wider gang network operating across Delhi and neighbouring states.

The Delhi Police has stepped up security in Bawana’s industrial areas with additional patrols and checkpoints. Investigators said the case is progressing rapidly and more arrests are likely as efforts continue to trace handlers and financial links.