The killing of a 52-year-old man in south Delhi’s Aya Nagar on November 30 has been revealed to be the result of a meticulously planned and exceptionally brutal attack, according to findings from the ongoing police investigation. The victim, identified as Rattan Lohia, was shot repeatedly by a group of five assailants who opened fire on him from a moving car, discharging an extraordinary number of rounds during the assault.
Investigators have confirmed that as many as 72 bullets were fired at Lohia during the attack, with 69 bullets later recovered from his body. The sheer volume of gunfire highlights the extreme violence involved in the incident. Police sources have also indicated that the involvement of notorious gangsters is being probed, including the possibility that criminals currently lodged in jail or even operating from outside India may have orchestrated or facilitated the killing by assigning a contract to carry out the murder.
Rattan Lohia was attacked in Aya Nagar, where he sustained multiple gunshot wounds. During the post-incident examination and investigation, officers recovered dozens of bullets embedded in his body, confirming that the assailants continued firing even after he had collapsed. Investigators believe the attack was rooted in a long-running and bitter rivalry between two families in the locality, a dispute that has reportedly been ongoing since 2024.
As part of the investigation, Delhi Police closely examined CCTV footage from the area surrounding the crime scene. Using these cameras, officers were able to track the movement of the vehicle used by the shooters both before and after the attack. The footage revealed that the assailants had deliberately removed the number plates from the car, a step believed to have been taken to avoid identification and delay police efforts.
When police reached the scene in Aya Nagar shortly after the shooting, they found Rattan Lohia lying in a pool of blood. Numerous spent and live cartridges were scattered on and around his body, further indicating the intensity of the gunfire. Following standard procedure, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and launched a detailed investigation to identify all those involved in planning and executing the murder.
According to police officials, the killing appears to be the culmination of an old and violent feud between two local families. Members of Lohia’s family have alleged that the murder was an act of revenge. They claim that one Rambir Lohia, along with his relatives, was responsible for the attack, seeking to avenge the death of his son earlier this year.
The earlier incident cited by the family took place on May 15, when Rambir Lohia’s son was allegedly shot dead by two unidentified men riding a motorcycle. The attackers reportedly opened fire on him while he was returning home in a car. Investigators believe that this earlier killing intensified the rivalry and ultimately led to the planned assassination of Rattan Lohia.
Police continue to investigate all angles of the case, including the suspected involvement of organised crime networks, as they work to piece together the full chain of events behind one of the most violent shootings reported in the area.
