Gangster Tyagi found dead in Mandoli jail

Notorious gangster Salman Tyagi, lodged in Delhi’s Mandoli Jail, was found dead inside his cell on Saturday morning, officials said, adding that they suspect that he died by suicide. However, no suicide note was recovered from the spot, they added.

Tyagi, who was lodged in the jail in 2019 under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), was found hanging in cell number 15. He was rushed to GTB Hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

He was facing several cases, including murder, extortion, robbery, rape, illegal land grabs and violations under the Arms Act. Over 25 criminal cases were registered against him in the past 15 years.

Hailing from Tihar village here, he, along with associate Saddam Gauri, had formed a gang that operated in West and Outer Delhi.

The group was involved in several violent crimes, with its influence spreading across the region. Police sources revealed that Tyagi had acquired several properties in and around Tihar village using proceeds of crime, often in the names of associates.

He was briefly linked to the Neeraj Bawania syndicate, but later distanced himself after internal rifts. In 2019, the Delhi Police registered a Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act case against Tyagi and 15 of his gang members at the Hari Nagar police station.

Since then, he had been incarcerated. He allegedly continued to run his operations from inside the jail using mobile phones. In 2023, acting on the instructions of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, Tyagi allegedly demanded Rs 50 lakh each from two businessmen in Rajouri Garden. When they refused to pay, his shooters opened fire outside their offices to intimidate them.

The shooters were later arrested. During interrogation, they confessed that he had ordered the attack, which confirmed his association with Bishnoi.