Punjab cops flagged threats to slain Karni Sena leader, reveals intel inputs

Jaipur: The President of the Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, who was murdered in daylight by three armed men, was under threat from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, as per intelligence inputs. 

Months ago, the Punjab Police had conveyed their Rajasthan counterparts about the threat to Karni Sena chief's life, according to a letter accessed by Republic. 

"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' to incite religiously motivated riots in the state of Rajasthan," a letter from Punjab Police said back in March.

The letter further added that Nehra was trying to acquire an AK-47 to accomplish the task through his associates outside the jail. 

No action taken, security denied 

Rajasthan Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) DIG, Anshuman Bhomiya, alerted the Additional Director General of Police (Security) about the threat, urging him to initiate necessary action.

Gogamedi, who led the Rajasthan camp of the Karni Sena, had sought police security but it was not provided under Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's tenure. 

The Karni Sena chief was shot dead in broad daylight by three assailants, who fled the crime scene after the incident. In the exchange of gunfire, one of the assailants, Naveen Singh Shekhawat, hailing from Shahpura in Jaipur and running a clothes shop, lost his life.

The remaining two attackers fled the scene after seizing a scooter. Before making their escape, they shot a bystander, causing injuries, he said.

The Police Commissioner of Jaipur said that the three perpetrators gained entry into the residence by obtaining permission from Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi through a security guard. Once granted access, they entered the room, took seats on the sofa, and conversed with the Karni Sena chief for approximately 10 minutes. Subsequently, they opened fire on Gogamedi.

Karni Sena calls for 'Rajasthan Bandh'

Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, along with various other communities in Rajasthan, declared a statewide 'bandh' on Wednesday to protest against the tragic assassination of its chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi.

Protesting Karni Sena supporters in Jaipur expressed their outrage over the killing of Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi by taking to the streets. Demonstrations were held outside the Metro Mass Hospital, and roads in Mansarovar were blocked.