Gym trainer shot dead in south Delhi’s Aya Nagar; Himanshu gang claims responsibility
A gym trainer was shot dead in south Delhi’s Aya Nagar on Monday morning, with police investigating whether the killing was linked to a longstanding rivalry in the village.
Police are also verifying a social media post attributed to gangster Himanshu Bhau, who is based abroad, claiming responsibility for the killing, sources said. Investigators are examining whether the claim is connected to the incident.
Vijay Kumar was at a gym when some men allegedly called him outside. Two bike-borne assailants then opened fire on him near Hansa Chowk in the Fatehpur Beri area, according to police and his family.
Around 15 rounds were fired in the incident at about 10 am, police said.
"Vijay Kumar sustained multiple gunshot injuries and later succumbed. An FIR has been registered and multiple teams have been formed to trace and apprehend the accused, who fled the spot. The motive initially seems to arise from personal enmity," Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Anant Mittal said.
Later, a social media post purportedly issued by Himanshu Bhau claimed responsibility for the killing and carried a warning in Hindi: "Bhagne se kam nahi chalega field me aao. Bhagne nahi dunga kisi ko (Running away won't help, come out to the field. I wont let anyone run away)."
The post mentioned "Bhau gang" and "Since-2020", police sources said.
The killing comes amid increased police scrutiny of the activities of the Himanshu Bhau gang in Delhi and the National Capital Region. Earlier this year, police arrested four alleged members of the gang in connection with the murder of 55-year-old dairy businessman Ratan Lohia in Aya Nagar, sources said.
Police are also examining whether Monday's killing was connected to a long-running rivalry between families in Aya Nagar, sources said.
According to Vijay's uncle Devendra, the assailants appeared to know that the victim was inside the gym and allegedly called him outside before firing at him, apparently to avoid the CCTV cameras inside.
"He was a trainer. His parents have died. He has a sister, wife and two children. We are being told that he suffered two gunshot injuries to his head and other injuries," Devendra told PTI.
He alleged that the incident appeared to be linked to an old rivalry between groups in the village and said several people had allegedly been killed in the past over the dispute.
Vijay's sister Sudha said he had no personal dispute with anyone in the village.
"My brother never had any argument or dispute with anyone in the village. He was a gym trainer and was completely focused on his work. There has been a longstanding rivalry between two families in the village. My brother's only mistake was that he was friends with a member of one of those families," she said.
Vijay's wife Ritu also said her husband had no personal enmity with anyone.
"My husband used to wake up at 4:45 am and leave for the gym around 5 am every day. There has been a rivalry between two families in the village. I had even asked my husband to keep his distance from them. But today, they killed my husband. He was innocent and had nothing to do with the rivalry. He was shot dead because of a dispute between others," she said.
The firing comes amid a series of violent incidents in and around Aya Nagar, with investigators examining possible links between village rivalries and gang activities.
Lohia was shot dead near his house in Aya Nagar earlier this year in an attack that police sources described as carefully planned. More than 60 rounds were allegedly fired at him after the assailants conducted reconnaissance for several hours.
Investigators had examined several angles, including a possible contract killing, as well as allegations by family members that the murder was linked to an earlier killing in the area.
Lohia's family had alleged that Rambir Lohia and his relatives arranged the killing to avenge the death of Rambir's 24-year-old son Arun, who was shot dead near Chattarpur Metro Station earlier this year.
Police sources had also suspected gangster Neeraj Faridpuriya's involvement in the Lohia murder and were investigating whether shooters from Haryana carried out the attack. The accused were also suspected of travelling from Faridabad and abandoning their vehicle there.
Police subsequently arrested four alleged members of the Himanshu Bhau gang in connection with the Lohia murder, sources said.
Monday's shooting is also the second incident in a month in which the Himanshu Bhau gang has purportedly claimed responsibility for a killing in Delhi.
On September 3, a property dealer was shot dead outside a gym in Narela's Bankner village. Two alleged sharpshooters of the Himanshu Bhau gang were arrested in connection with the killing, police sources said.
Investigators are examining similarities between the two incidents, including the alleged targeting of victims near gyms.
However, police have not officially established any link between Lohia's murder, the September 3 Narela shooting and Monday's killing of Vijay Kumar.
Senior police officers reached the spot following the firing, and security personnel were deployed in the area to prevent any further escalation.
Multiple teams are conducting raids at various locations to identify and apprehend the accused, police said. Further investigation is underway. (with inputs from PTI)
