Gwalior history-sheeter Chhotu Rajawat shot dead; five named in FIR
Synopsis
A history-sheeter with over a dozen criminal cases against him was dragged off a motorcycle and shot dead near a railway overbridge in Gwalior around midnight. Police have named five accused in an FIR and suspect the killing is retaliation rooted in the year-old murder of Bhola Sikarwar — a case in which the victim himself had been accused of aiding a gangster.
Key Takeaways
Chhotu Rajawat , a history-sheeter with over a dozen criminal cases, was shot dead near the LNIPE Institute, Mela Road, Gwalior around midnight on 23 September .
Accused Dinu Sikarwar and Hemu Sikarwar allegedly dragged Rajawat off a motorcycle and shot him at close range, according to police.
An FIR has been registered against five named accused : Hemu Sikarwar, Dinu Sikarwar, Ranu, Rajveer, and Ajit.
Police suspect the murder is linked to an old rivalry connected to the killing of Bhola Sikarwar roughly a year ago.
Rajawat had recently been released on bail in the Bhola Sikarwar murder case before he was killed.
Raids are ongoing; Gwalior ASP Sujawal Bagga said all five accused have been identified and arrests are expected soon.
Chhotu Rajawat, a history-sheeter with more than a dozen criminal cases registered against him, was shot dead near a railway overbridge on Mela Road in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, in the early hours of 23 September. Police suspect the killing is rooted in an old criminal rivalry, potentially connected to the murder of another gangster roughly a year ago.
How the Attack Unfolded
Rajawat was travelling on a motorcycle with associates when a group of assailants intercepted him near the LNIPE Institute close to the railway overbridge around midnight. According to police, two of the accused — identified as Dinu Sikarwar and Hemu Sikarwar — allegedly grabbed Rajawat by his collar, dragged him off the motorcycle, and shot him at close range in the chest and head. He died on the spot. The assailants reportedly fled the scene while brandishing firearms, triggering an immediate police response.
FIR and Police Response
A named First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against Hemu Sikarwar, Dinu Sikarwar, Ranu, Rajveer, and Ajit, based on the statement of one of Rajawat's associates. CSP Nagendra Singh Sikarwar and Padav police station in-charge Shailendra Bhargava reached the crime scene along with other personnel. The body was sent for post-mortem examination. Gwalior ASP Sujawal Bagga confirmed that separate teams have been formed and raids are being conducted at suspected hideouts of the accused.
The Rivalry Trail: Bhola Sikarwar Murder
Police are probing a possible connection between Rajawat's killing and the murder of Bhola Sikarwar, who was killed approximately a year ago. That case reportedly began after Bhola's brother Dinu allegedly challenged gangster Bunty Bhadauria on social media. Investigators had alleged that Bhadauria went looking for Dinu but, unable to find him, targeted Bhola instead. Rajawat had subsequently been arrested in that case, with police alleging he had disclosed Bhola's location to Bhadauria. He had recently secured bail before his killing.
Background: Rajawat's Criminal Record
Rajawat had been lodged in jail in connection with Bhola Sikarwar's murder and had more than a dozen criminal cases registered against him, according to police. His recent release on bail and subsequent killing points to what investigators describe as a sustained cycle of inter-gang retaliation in Gwalior. ASP Bagga stated: 'The accused have been identified, and police teams are working at different locations to apprehend them. They will be arrested soon.'
Investigation Status
Raids are under way at multiple locations across the city to trace the five named accused. Police are also examining whether any additional individuals were involved in planning or carrying out the attack. The post-mortem report is awaited and is expected to formally confirm the cause of death.
Point of View
Freshly out on bail, becomes the next target. What this case underlines is not just a local law-and-order failure but a recurring pattern in Gwalior where criminal feuds compound across years — Bhola's killing, the social media challenge, the bail, and now this. The speed with which investigators traced the Bhola Sikarwar link suggests the intelligence was already there; the harder question is whether preventive action was taken after Rajawat secured bail. Courts and police both face scrutiny when a man already enmeshed in a high-profile murder case is released and then killed within the same network.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Chhotu Rajawat and why was he targeted?
Chhotu Rajawat was a history-sheeter in Gwalior with more than a dozen criminal cases against him. Police suspect he was targeted due to an old rivalry linked to the murder of Bhola Sikarwar, a case in which Rajawat had been arrested for allegedly disclosing Bhola's location to gangster Bunty Bhadauria.
Who are the five accused named in the FIR?
The five accused named in the FIR are Hemu Sikarwar, Dinu Sikarwar, Ranu, Rajveer, and Ajit. The FIR was registered on the basis of the statement given by one of Rajawat's associates who was present at the time of the attack.
What is the connection between this murder and the Bhola Sikarwar case?
Bhola Sikarwar was killed approximately a year ago after his brother Dinu allegedly challenged gangster Bunty Bhadauria on social media. Police had alleged Rajawat helped Bhadauria locate Bhola. Investigators are now probing whether Rajawat's killing is a retaliatory act by individuals connected to the Sikarwar side of that feud.
What action has the Gwalior police taken so far?
Police have registered an FIR against five named accused, formed separate investigation teams, and are conducting raids at suspected hideouts. Gwalior ASP Sujawal Bagga has said all accused are identified and arrests are expected soon. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination.
Where exactly did the shooting take place?
The shooting took place near a railway overbridge close to the LNIPE Institute on Mela Road in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, at approximately midnight on 23 September 2026.
