Delhi gym trainer shot dead, gang claims responsibility online

A gym trainer was shot dead in south Delhi’s Aya Nagar area on Monday, with a gang claiming responsibility for the killing online.

The victim, 28-year-old Vijay Kumar, was allegedly called outside by his assailants before being shot near Hansa Chowk in the Fatehpur Beri area, with around 12 to 15 rounds fired.

A social media post attributed to gangster Himanshu Bhau, believed to be based abroad, has claimed responsibility, and police are working to verify its authenticity.

Investigators are also examining whether the shooting is tied to a long-running rivalry between families in the Aya Nagar area.

The Himanshu Bhau gang was previously linked to the murder of a 55-year-old dairy businessman in the same area earlier this year, in which four alleged members were arrested.

Investigators are verifying a social media post attributed to gangster Himanshu Bhau, who is believed to be based abroad, claiming responsibility for the killing.

Police are also examining whether the killing is connected to a long-running rivalry between families in the Aya Nagar area.

Earlier this year, police arrested four alleged members of the Himanshu Bhau gang in connection with the murder of a 55-year-old dairy businessman in the same area.

Forensic teams collected shell casings and other evidence from the scene as part of the ongoing investigation into the shooting.

Local residents in the area have expressed concern over a pattern of gang-related violence linked to long-standing local rivalries in Aya Nagar and neighbouring localities.

Delhi Police have increased patrolling in the area following the incident, according to officials familiar with the investigation.

The use of social media to claim responsibility for targeted killings has become a recurring feature of gang-related violence investigated by Delhi Police in recent years.

Police have not yet made any arrests in connection with Monday’s shooting as the investigation continues.

Delhi Police vehicle (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0