NEW DELHI: Investigations into the murder of businessman Ratan Kumar in south Delhi’s Chattarpur Enclave on Nov 30 has revealed that five to six assailants shot him 69 times while he was heading for his dairy.Police suspect the hit job was ordered by two gangsters based abroad at the behest of the family of a businessman, who was gunned down, allegedly by Kumar’s son Deepak, seven months ago. Kumar’s family believe the latest murder was in retaliation for the earlier killing.
One of the main shooters has been identified as Anuj, alias Fighter. Police sources said the two gangsters, Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Faridpuria, provided one set of shooters, while the rest were hitmen of UP-based gangster Randeep Bhati.Haryana’s Faridpuria, who was initially a member of the dreaded Bambiha gang, now works for Bhau. He faces over 25 cases and fled to Canada via Dubai in 2019. Bhau is based in Portugal.Police have identified five of the hitmen — all of them are absconding — and issued lookout circulars against them.Kumar’s daughter Deepika said her brother, Deepak, had gone astray, after which the family severed ties with him. “My father took this step to protect the family from the ongoing rivalry,” she said.Kumar, through his lawyer, even issued a public notice in newspapers formally severing ties with Deepak, stating that he was barred from inheriting all family properties. The notice clarified that Kumar had no control over his son’s actions and would not be responsible for his conduct, dealings, debt or financial obligations. Despite this, Kumar had repeatedly been receiving threats, Deepika said, adding, “It’s been nearly three weeks since he was murdered, but the killers are absconding, and no protection has been given to our family.” However, a senior police officer said the Kumars never sought any security cover. Once Deepak was arrested and jailed for the May 24 murder of the businessman in Chattarpur while he was returning home with his father, Kumar filed a police complaint against 13 people, saying that he feared for his life and they would be responsible if anything happened to him. He also reaffirmed in the complaint that he had cut all ties with his son. Kumar’s family said Deepak and the businessman used to be friends and dabbled in property businesses. Two years ago, they fell out and Deepak was beaten up. Deepak allegedly murdered him to take revenge, the Kumars said.
