Chargesheet filed against two members of Kala Jathedi gang

The police have filed a chargesheet against two members of the infamous Kala Jathedi gang in an extortion case under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), officials said on Friday.

The accused have been identified as Rohit Lather (31), a fire safety expert with no prior criminal record, and Jugesh alias Yogi (25), a rickshaw driver with a history of involvement in extortion and other crimes, the police added.

According to the police, various firing incidents were reported from different parts of the city in which businessmen were targeted with extortion demands.

Based on such instances, a case was filed on November 9, 2024, at the Aman Vihar Police Station in North West Delhi, under Section 308 (extortion) of the BNS, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Surender Kumar said in a statement.

He added that an investigation by the local police revealed a pre-planned act on behalf of the notorious crime syndicate of Sandeep, alias Kala Jathedi gang. Subsequently, Section 3 of the MCOCA was invoked and the case was transferred to the Crime Branch.

The Joint CP mentioned that three more accused — Sandeep, alias Kala Jathedi, kingpin of the gang; Anil Rohilla alias Chipi and Abhishek Dahiya, alias Mohit, were also arrested in the same case. One accused identified as Aman Lather, alias Johny, who is absconding, is reportedly staying abroad.

Multiple associates, facilitators, recruiters and shooters have been identified and arrested in the case. Arms, vehicles, extortion receipts and digital evidence have been recovered.

A chargesheet against Jugesh and Rohit Lather has been filed in the court for judicial trial on December 4. A further investigation is underway to completely dismantle the syndicate’s financial and logistical backbone, the cop added.

The Kala Jathedi gang operates in Delhi-NCR and indulges in extortion, targeted killing and other illegal activities. Initially, the syndicate was formed with the motive of avenging the killings of family members of its establishing members.

However, it gradually transformed into a well-organised criminal enterprise with objectives of revenge killings, territorial dominance across Haryana and Delhi and extortion from businessmen and contractor, contract killing, liquor trade and land dispute settlement through intimidation.

The syndicate generated huge illegal assets through its criminal activities. Properties and assets acquired from proceeds of crime are being identified for attachment under the MCOCA.