Property dealer shot dead outside Delhi gym in Narela; extortion link suspected
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A property dealer was shot dead by three unidentified assailants outside a gym in north Delhi's Narela area on Thursday morning, 3 September, in what police suspect may be an extortion-linked killing. The deceased has been identified as Pramod Dahiya, a resident of Sonipat district, Haryana.
How the Attack Unfolded
The shooting took place at approximately 7 am when three attackers allegedly arrived at the scene on a scooter, opened fire at Dahiya, and fled immediately after. Officials confirmed that Dahiya was killed on the spot. The body has since been sent for post-mortem examination.
Police teams have launched an investigation and are reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area to identify the assailants and reconstruct the sequence of events. Further details are awaited as the probe continues.
Extortion Angle Under Investigation
According to officials, the murder is suspected to be connected to an extortion-related attempt, though investigators have not yet confirmed a definitive motive. No arrests have been made so far, and the three assailants remain unidentified.
The Narela killing is the latest in a series of targeted shootings outside gyms in the Delhi-NCR and western Uttar Pradesh region, raising concerns about organised criminal networks operating in the area.
Pattern of Gym Shootings: The Ankit Baliyan Case
The incident draws immediate comparisons to the high-profile murder of Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Baliyan, who was shot dead outside a gym in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, on 26 August. Investigators suspect Baliyan's killing was linked to a gang rivalry allegedly triggered by one of his songs.
The Gogi gang is suspected of orchestrating that murder. On 31 August, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), in coordination with local police, shot dead two accused — identified as Sumit and Mohit — during an encounter. Both were reportedly residents of Sonipat, Haryana, and carried prior criminal records.
Two Suspects Still Absconding; Mastermind Named
Following the encounter, the Shamli Police announced a reward of ₹1 lakh each for information leading to the arrest of two remaining suspected shooters — Satyam Kadyan and Aryan Sandhu — who are currently absconding. The investigation has also named Rakesh alias Pappu as the suspected mastermind behind the Baliyan conspiracy; he is currently lodged in Karnal Jail, Haryana.
With the Narela killing now under probe, investigators will likely examine whether any connections exist between the two cases, given that both victims were targeted outside gyms and both cases involve links to Sonipat, Haryana.