In a suspected gang-related incident, a 35-year-old gym owner was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants in the upscale Greater Kailash area of south Delhi, according to police reports on Friday. Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the case.
The arrested suspects—Nitalesh Tiwari, Vishal Verma, and Akash Yadav from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Naveen Baliyan from Sonipat, Haryana—are believed to have provided logistical support to the shooters. The police have also seized two country-made pistols and eight live rounds from them. The arrested individuals are currently being interrogated by a Special Cell team.
Two additional people were detained and questioned in relation to the case; however, the main shooter remains at large. Authorities are investigating the possible involvement of associates of incarcerated gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Hashim Baba in the murder.
The victim, Nadir Shah, had a criminal history involving extortion, robbery, and attempted murder. Shah co-owned a gym in Greater Kailash 1 and was known for lending money at high interest rates. He also had business interests in Dubai and was reportedly acquainted with some Delhi police officials. Shah is survived by his mother and two brothers; his father had moved from Afghanistan to Delhi years ago.
On the night of the incident, Shah was conversing with a friend outside the gym when he was shot at approximately 10:44 p.m. Surveillance footage that later surfaced on social media shows Shah speaking with a person before the attacker approached and fired multiple bullets at close range.
The police suspect that the shooter fled the scene on a motorcycle, accompanied by an associate who was waiting nearby. The background of the person Shah was talking to at the time of the attack has been verified; he claimed to have been with a female friend who was waiting in his car.
Shortly after the shooting, a social media post purportedly from gangster Rohit Godara claimed responsibility for the attack. The post alleged that the shooting was ordered by Sameer Baba, a jailed criminal, due to Shah’s interference in his business dealings. It also referenced Lawrence Bishnoi’s associates, including Godara, Goldy Brar, the Gogi gang, and the Kala Rana gang.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Ankit Chauhan reported that police were alerted to the shooting at Greater Kailash 1 and found bullet projectiles and empty cartridges at the scene. Shah, a resident of CR Park, sustained five bullet wounds and was declared dead upon arrival at Max Hospital, despite being rushed there by friends.
The investigation is ongoing, with police exploring all possible angles, including potential gang rivalry.
