Punjab Cops Had Flagged Threats To Murdered Rajput Leader, Suggests Intel

Rajput leader Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, whose murder has sparked widespread protests in Rajasthan, was under threat from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, suggest intelligence inputs. Punjab Police had warned their Rajasthan counterparts months ago about the threat to Gogamedi's life, according to a letter accessed by NDTV.

"According to an input, notorious gangster Sampat Nehra of Lawrence Bishnoi gang, who is currently lodged in Central Jail, Bathinda, has plans to kill Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, President of the Rajput community group 'Shree Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena' in order to incite religiously motivated riots in the state of Rajasthan," a note from Punjab Police said back in March.

Sampat Nehra was even trying to acquire an AK-47, the note said, adding that the murder may disrupt communal harmony and lead to riots.

Rajasthan Police's anti-terrorist squad (ATS) DIG Anshuman Bhomiya had then flagged the threat to the Additional Director General of Police (Security), asking him to take further action.

Gogamedi, who led a fringe outfit called Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, had sought police security but it was not provided.

He was shot dead in his Jaipur home yesterday by three men who had tea with him in his living room. The murder was captured on CCTV camera.

Gogamedi and two of his associates suffered bullet injuries in the attack. They were rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him dead. One of the attackers was also shot dead by Gogamedi's aides during a gunfight, police said.

Rohit Godara, a gangster closely associated with the gangs of Goldie Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi, has taken responsibility for the murder in a Facebook post.

Gogamedi's killing is being compared to that of Raju Teth, a gangster who was shot dead at the gate of his house in Rajasthan's Sikar district last year.

Hired sharp shooters are suspected to be behind the murder and they have been identified as Rohit Singh Rathore from Nagaur, Rajasthan and Nitin Fauji from Narnaul, Haryana.

The murder triggered widespread protests in Jaipur, Churu, Udaipur, Alwar and Jodhpur districts. Rajput outfits have also called for a statewide bandh today.

Eight special police teams have been deployed to catch the suspected shooters.

Rajasthan police chief Umesh Mishra said raids are being conducted on possible hideouts of the accused and appealed to maintain peace. "We will ensure the suspects are arrested as soon as possible. I appeal to all to keep patience and maintain peace," he said.