Delhi’s fragile underworld equilibrium appears to be cracking again as the Tajpuria gang stages a comeback. Investigators say two back-to-back killings of rival Gogi gang members within a month signal not just a return, but a renewed assertion of power.
Old rivalry returns with fresh bloodshed
The development has raised alarms among law enforcement agencies, with fears that the Gogi gang could launch a counter-offensive, possibly leveraging its known links with Lawrence Bishnoi. The possibility of a full-scale gang war looms large.
Revenge, recruits and overseas control
According to The Times of India, the Tajpuria gang’s resurgence is being driven by a mix of fresh recruits and leadership operating from abroad. Himmat Chiku, a key figure who jumped bail, is believed to be coordinating activities from overseas. The revival is deeply rooted in revenge. The gang is seeking to avenge the brutal killing of its leader, Sunil alias Tillu Tajpuria, while also regaining lost ground in extortion and land-grab rackets that fuel such networks. Despite recent police crackdowns, the renewed activity suggests a reorganised and motivated outfit attempting to reclaim dominance.
A decade-long feud soaked in violence
The conflict between Jitender Gogi and Sunil “Tillu” Tajpuria traces back to their college days in outer Delhi, where a dispute during student elections spiralled into a violent rivalry. Over the years, the feud escalated into a deadly cycle of revenge killings. From targeted assassinations in 2015 to the infamous 2018 Burari shootout and later the sensational courtroom killing of Gogi in 2021, the violence has repeatedly shocked the city. The cycle continued with Tajpuria’s own killing inside Tihar Jail in 2023, where he was stabbed multiple times by rival gang members.
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Civilians paying the price
The fallout of this long-running rivalry has not been limited to gang members. More than 30 people, including innocent bystanders, have lost their lives over the years. Recent incidents, including indiscriminate firing that injured civilians, underline how such conflicts spill onto the streets, putting public safety at risk. Even as police continue to arrest operatives, the masterminds often remain out of reach, making it difficult to fully dismantle these networks.
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The Tajpuria gang’s resurgence has once again exposed the deep-rooted and evolving nature of organised crime in Delhi. With revenge, alliances and money at play, authorities face a serious challenge in preventing the situation from spiralling into another prolonged and deadly gang war.
