Rohini Court Shootout: Jitender Gogi was allegedly shot dead by a rival gang inside a court complex.
Three gangsters were killed in a shootout inside a courtroom in Delhi that left several people injured and raised serious questions about security in a heavily protected and sanitised zone. In videos, gunshots are heard in court and policemen and lawyers are seen in a scramble in the building at Rohini in north Delhi.
Gunmen dressed as lawyers, present in court, shot gangster Jitender Gogi thrice. Special force personnel escorting the gangster then fired back, killing both the attackers on the spot.
Jitender Gogi, a notorious gangster involved in over 30 criminal cases and in Tihar jail since last year, was declared dead in hospital. A rival gang, going by the name "Tillu Gang", had plotted to kill him when he was brought for his court hearing today, said the police.
"Two from rival gang opened fire at Jitender Gogi inside the court. The police acted swiftly and killed both the assailants," Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana told NDTV.
According to the police, when Gogi was brought to the court, with heavy police escort, two attackers dressed as practising lawyers, complete with "collar band, black blazer and trouser and black shoes", suddenly started firing at him.
The incident marks a huge security lapse on court premises.
A lawyer, Lalit Kumar, said: "The judge was in court, lawyers were present and Jitender Gogi was there. These two shooters who looked like 'lawyers' started shooting. A woman intern was also hit by a bullet."
The two gangs had reportedly been at war for years and more than 25 people have died in their rivalry.
Gogi and Tillu Tajpuria were reportedly friends in college but fell out in 2010, and their feud turned into a gang war.
Gogi, or Jitender Maan, was arrested in March last year and was considered a big catch for the Delhi police.
The incident has raised questions about whether metal detectors at the court were working and if they were, how the armed men could get past.
"The question on whether the metal detectors were not working in the court premises is a matter of investigation and I cannot comment on that at the moment. We are already investigating the case and we shall not spare anyone who is involved in this shootout. No one will be spared," Mr Asthana told NDTV.
He added: "Delhi Police is doing its job seriously. We were effective and focused and that is why the shooter was successfully neutralised. We will say more after a detailed investigation is carried out."