In a significant law enforcement operation, gangster Sunil Sardhania, the prime accused in the high-profile shooting of Haryanvi singer Rahul Fazilpuria and the murder of property dealer Rohit Shaukeen, was apprehended at Delhi International Airport early Sunday morning. The arrest marks a major breakthrough in a case that has drawn widespread media attention and public scrutiny due to its violent nature and the gangster’s long history of criminal activities.

Sources confirmed that Sardhania had been deported from Zurich, Switzerland, and returned to India under police custody. Reports suggest that prior to this, he had been residing in Costa Rica. Upon his arrival, authorities immediately took him into custody, ensuring that the international fugitive was unable to evade justice any longer.

Crimes and Allegations Against Sardhania

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Karan Goel, Sardhania, along with his associate Deepak Nandal, was responsible for multiple violent incidents in Gurugram, Haryana. These include the July 14 attack on Fazilpuria’s vehicle in Sector 71 along the Southern Peripheral Road, in which the singer narrowly escaped injury, as well as the targeted murder of property dealer Rohit Shaukeen near Palm Hills society in Sector 77.

“The accused was involved in planning, arranging shooters, and supplying weapons for the firing at singer Rahul Fazilpuria, the murder of Rohit Shaukeen, and an attack at a property dealer’s office in Gurugram,” DCP Goel said. “During his five-day police remand, Sardhania will be interrogated to reveal details about his criminal network and other pending cases.”

Sardhania’s criminal record spans over 15 years and includes multiple serious offences, ranging from murder and attempted murder to violent assaults. Before fleeing abroad in 2024, he was serving a life sentence in one case and a 10-year sentence in another. He secured bail under a false identity, using a forged passport issued in the name of Sunil Singh, listing an address in Delhi’s New Ashok Nagar.

Escape and International Fugitive Status

After leaving India, Sardhania traveled through Dubai to Central America, maintaining contact with his criminal associates in India to coordinate ongoing illegal activities. “He continued planning and executing crimes even while abroad,” DCP Goel stated. The gangster’s ability to manage operations from overseas reflects a level of sophistication and organizational skill that has long been associated with his criminal network.

Authorities highlighted that Sardhania had connections across multiple states in northern India. A total of 24 cases involving serious offences have been registered against him and his associates in Haryana’s Jind, Rohtak, Gurugram, Jhajjar, Hisar, Sonipat, Ambala, Bhiwani, and Panchkula districts, as well as in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat and Agra districts. The breadth of these cases demonstrates the expansive reach of his criminal network and the threat it posed to public safety.

Police Operation and Arrest

The operation to apprehend Sardhania was led by a specialized team from the Gurugram Crime Unit, Sector 31, under the supervision of Inspector Anand Kumar. At 39 years old, Sardhania hails from Sardhana village in Sonipat district. His capture involved coordination between local law enforcement and international authorities, including Swiss officials, to ensure his safe return to India.

Earlier arrests in connection with the Gurugram incidents included seven individuals—Vishal, Hitesh, Gautam alias Chotu, Ramandeep alias Petrol, Shbhan alias Kala, Shakti Panchal, and Ramniwas alias Kalu—who are currently in police custody. Investigators are now questioning Sardhania to uncover further details about his criminal activities, associates, and any unsolved cases linked to his network.

Sardhania’s Public Appeal

In a surprising turn, Gurugram police released a video in which Sardhania, visibly remorseful, appeals to people to avoid the life of crime. In the video, he is seen falling to his knees and delivering a message to youth and aspiring criminals:

“I, Sunil Sardhania, have been in the world of crime for the last 15 years, with cases of murder and attempted murder registered against me. There is nothing in this crime world. I appeal to all that stay safe at home and never connect with any criminal, who will only use you and you will regret it later. So stay home, home is the best,” he said.

The video has since gone viral on social media, sparking debates about rehabilitation, criminal psychology, and the influence of organized crime in urban areas. Many commentators have noted the rarity of such a public acknowledgment by a gangster of his own misdeeds, while others have expressed skepticism about the sincerity of the message.

Impact on Public Safety and Legal Proceedings

Sardhania’s arrest is a major development for law enforcement agencies in Haryana and Delhi. It not only addresses unresolved cases involving violent attacks on high-profile individuals like Fazilpuria but also strengthens ongoing investigations into organized crime networks operating in the region. The five-day remand period will be crucial for interrogators to extract intelligence that could lead to additional arrests and dismantling of the gang’s operations.

Legal experts have noted that his prior convictions, combined with the new charges, could result in extended sentences, potentially ensuring that Sardhania remains behind bars for the remainder of his life. The arrest also sets a precedent for coordinated action against fugitives who attempt to evade justice by fleeing abroad.

Broader Implications for Crime in Gurugram

The violent incidents linked to Sardhania, including the attack on a celebrity singer and the murder of a property dealer, highlight the increasing audacity of organized crime in Gurugram and other parts of Haryana. Analysts point out that such high-profile attacks not only threaten public figures but also create a climate of fear among civilians and local businesses.

Authorities hope that Sardhania’s apprehension will send a strong message to criminal networks operating in the state: that international borders cannot shield fugitives from law enforcement and that serious criminal activity will be met with swift action.

Conclusion: A High-Profile Arrest

The capture of Sunil Sardhania at Delhi International Airport marks a significant victory for law enforcement agencies in India, concluding a months-long international manhunt for one of northern India’s most notorious criminals. With his extensive criminal record, ongoing investigations, and connections to violent gangs, Sardhania’s arrest is expected to yield critical information about the operations and networks that have long posed a threat to public safety in Haryana and beyond.

While the legal proceedings against him are just beginning, his public acknowledgment of the futility of crime provides a rare glimpse into the mindset of a gangster and could serve as a cautionary tale for others tempted by a life of lawlessness. As the police continue their investigation, the hope is that Sardhania’s capture will disrupt organized crime networks, deliver justice to victims like Rohit Shaukeen, and prevent further attacks on citizens and public figures in the region.