Tillu Tajpuria gang associate arrested in Alipur firing case, pistol seized
Synopsis
A Tillu Tajpuria gang associate wanted in a mass firing at a disputed plot in Delhi's Alipur was nabbed by the Crime Branch after a vehicle chase in Narela — with a loaded illegal pistol in hand. The October 2025 incident involved up to 45 armed men and 12 rounds fired; the arrests now expose the gang's reach into land-grab violence in the capital's outer districts.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested Sandeep alias Daagu Maharaj, 40 , and Deepak, 32 , both from Sonipat, Haryana , on 1 July 2025 .
Sandeep is an alleged active associate of the late gangster Tillu Tajpuria , recruited during his stint at Sonipat Jail .
An illegal semi-automatic pistol loaded with four live cartridges and four additional cartridges were recovered; a black SUV was also seized.
The arrests are linked to FIR No.
589/2025 — a 30 October 2025 incident in Village Ramjanpur, Alipur , where up to 45 armed persons allegedly fired 12 rounds during a property dispute.
174/2026 under the Arms Act has been registered for the illegal firearm and ammunition recovery.
Investigation is ongoing to identify remaining gang members involved in the Alipur firing.
Delhi Police Crime Branch on Wednesday, 1 July 2025 arrested two men, including an alleged associate of the late gangster Tillu Tajpuria, in connection with an attempt-to-murder case stemming from a violent property dispute in Alipur, according to officials. An illegal semi-automatic pistol loaded with live ammunition was recovered during the operation.
The Arrests and Recoveries
The two accused have been identified as Sandeep alias Daagu Maharaj, 40, and Deepak, 32, both residents of Sonipat, Haryana. Police said Sandeep is an active associate of the Tillu Tajpuria gang. The arrests were carried out by the NR-II Unit of the Crime Branch following sustained surveillance and coordinated field operations.
During the operation, police recovered an illegal semi-automatic pistol loaded with four live cartridges from Sandeep, along with four additional live cartridges from Deepak. A black SUV bearing a Haryana registration number, allegedly used by the accused, was also seized. A separate FIR No. 174/2026 under Section 25 of the Arms Act has been registered at the Crime Branch Police Station regarding the firearm and ammunition recovery.
The Alipur Firing Incident
The arrests are linked to FIR No. 589/2025 registered at Alipur Police Station in connection with an alleged attempt to forcibly seize a disputed plot in Village Ramjanpur on 30 October 2025. According to police, around 30 to 45 armed persons allegedly assembled at the property with the intention of taking illegal possession of the land.
During the incident, the assailants allegedly discharged nearly 12 rounds of indiscriminate fire, attempted to break open the lock of the plot, and assaulted several persons with sticks and staves, creating widespread panic in the locality. A case was subsequently registered under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.
How the Accused Were Traced
A special team was constituted under the supervision of ACP Girish Kaushik and led by Inspector Pradeep Singh, comprising Sub-Inspectors Satender Dahiya, Yogesh Dahiya, and Parvir Singh, along with ASI Praveen and several head constables. Intelligence developed by Head Constable Tomar indicated that Sandeep would arrive in the Narela area in a black SUV and would allegedly be carrying illegal firearms.
Acting on this input, the Crime Branch laid a trap near the road connecting Narela UER-II Road and Alipur-Narela Road. When the suspect vehicle arrived, the accused allegedly attempted to flee after being signalled to stop but were apprehended following a brief chase.
Gang Links and Criminal Background
During interrogation, Sandeep allegedly disclosed that he first came into contact with gangster Tillu Tajpuria while serving time at Sonipat Jail, where Tajpuria reportedly persuaded him to join his criminal network by promising financial benefits and greater influence. Before his release, Tajpuria allegedly shared an international WhatsApp number and instructed Sandeep to make contact after leaving jail.
According to police, after his release in November 2022, Sandeep allegedly contacted the gang through the provided number. In February 2023, a gang associate allegedly handed over a semi-automatic pistol with 10 live cartridges near the Singhu Border. Police said Sandeep has prior criminal cases in Delhi and Haryana, including murder, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, and Arms Act offences, and had remained in judicial custody from 2016 until November 2022.
Regarding the Alipur incident, Sandeep allegedly told investigators that in October 2025 he and his brother Shantanu were summoned to Bakhtawarpur by Deepak, who instructed them to bring firearms for the forcible takeover of the disputed plot. Deepak, according to police, also has prior cases involving murder, illegal possession of arms, and offences under the NDPS Act. Police said Sandeep had allegedly handed over four live cartridges to Deepak for use in criminal activities.
What Happens Next
Officials said investigation is ongoing to identify other members of the gang involved in the Alipur firing case and to establish the full extent of the criminal conspiracy behind the alleged attempt to illegally seize the disputed property. Further arrests are expected as the probe widens.
Point of View
But his network appears operational enough to mobilise up to 45 armed men for a single land-grab. What the arrests also reveal is the gang's recruitment pipeline — jail time is not breaking these networks, it is building them. Until the criminal justice system addresses how gang affiliations deepen inside overcrowded prisons, arrests like these will remain reactive rather than structural.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were arrested in the Alipur firing case?
Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested Sandeep alias Daagu Maharaj, 40 , and Deepak, 32 , both residents of Sonipat, Haryana, on 1 July 2025. Sandeep is an alleged active associate of the late gangster Tillu Tajpuria.
What happened in the Alipur firing incident?
On 30 October 2025, around 30 to 45 armed persons allegedly assembled at a disputed plot in Village Ramjanpur, Alipur, fired nearly 12 rounds indiscriminately, assaulted people with sticks, and attempted to forcibly seize the property. A case was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act at Alipur Police Station.
What weapons were recovered during the arrest?
Police recovered an illegal semi-automatic pistol loaded with four live cartridges from Sandeep, and four additional live cartridges from Deepak. The black SUV allegedly used by the accused was also seized.
How did Sandeep become linked to the Tillu Tajpuria gang?
According to police, Sandeep allegedly came into contact with gangster Tillu Tajpuria while both were in Sonipat Jail. Tajpuria reportedly persuaded him to join his criminal network with promises of money and influence, and after Sandeep's release in November 2022, a gang associate allegedly handed him a pistol near the Singhu Border in February 2023.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Police have registered a separate FIR (No. 174/2026) under the Arms Act for the illegal firearm recovery. Investigation is ongoing to identify other gang members involved in the Alipur firing and to determine the full scope of the criminal conspiracy behind the alleged land grab.
