On Tuesday morning, Delhi’s top gangster, Sunil alias ‘Tillu Tajpuriya’, was killed inside the high-security Tihar Jail by rival gang members. The notorious criminal was attacked with an iron rod and stabbed with a ‘sua’ over 40 times, leading to his death. Tajpuriya was lodged in Tihar Jail, one of the largest and most secure prison complexes in Asia, and was awaiting trial in the Rohini court shootout case.
Who was Tillu Tajpuriya?
Tillu Tajpuriya, whose real name was Sunil Balyan, was a notorious gangster and the leader of the infamous Tillu gang in Delhi. He had been involved in several high-profile crimes and had a long history of criminal activities. Tajpuriya was also the alleged mastermind behind the Rohini shootout murder in December 2021, which he reportedly planned from inside the jail.
Rise to Infamy
Tillu was born Sunil Balyan in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, India. He started his criminal activities at a young age and gradually rose to infamy. He was involved in various illegal activities like murder, extortion, and illegal possession of cars.
Tillu Tajpuriya first came to the limelight in 2010 when he was arrested for the murder of a police constable in Baghpat. However, he was released on bail and continued his criminal activities. In 2013, he was again arrested for the murder of a local businessman, but he managed to escape from police custody while being taken to a court hearing.
The Rise of the Tillu Gang
After escaping from police custody, Tillu Tajpuriya formed his own gang and became the leader of the Tillu gang. He operated in the western parts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, and his gang was involved in various criminal activities, including extortion, kidnapping, and murder. The gang was notorious for its brutality and was feared by the locals.
The Rohini Shootout
In December 2021, a shootout took place outside the Rohini court in Delhi, in which two persons were killed and several others injured. Tajpuriya was one of the accused in the case, and it was alleged that he had planned the shootout from inside the jail. The police had arrested him along with his associate Ankit Pahuja for their alleged involvement in the case. However, Tillu Tajpuriya was still operating his gang from inside the jail.
Life of Crime
Tajpuriya had a long criminal history that included several cases of extortion, kidnapping, and murder. He had reportedly been involved in the killing of more than 20 people and was wanted by the police in several cases. Tajpuriya was known to be a ruthless criminal who used violence to intimidate his rivals and control his territory.
Arrest and Imprisonment
Tajpuriya was arrested in January 2022 in connection with the Rohini shootout case and was lodged in Tihar Jail. The police had accused him of planning the murder of rival gangster Gogi, who was shot inside the Rohini court premises in 2021. Tajpuriya was also accused of being involved in several other crimes, including extortion and murder.
Death of Tillu Tajpuriya
On May 2, 2023, Tillu Tajpuriya was allegedly beaten to death by rival gangsters inside Tihar Jail. According to jail officials, the attack took place around 6:30 a.m. inside the jail. Yogesh alias Tunda and Deepak alias Teetar were the two inmates who attacked Tajpuriya by breaking the iron grills of the ward that separated both gangs in the same ward. Tajpuriya had a deep faith in Lord Shiva, and in one of the pictures, he is seen holding a plate with a picture of Lord Shiva.
The Video Footage of the Incident
Days after the incident, India Today and many other big news agencies accessed the exclusive video footage of the shocking murder. The video shows how Tajpuriya was pulled from his prison cell and killed inside Tihar jail by rival gang members. The video has raised serious concerns over the security arrangements at the jail.
Security Concerns at Tihar Jail
The incident has led to a security audit of Tihar jail, and the authorities have found that the security was “weak” at the time of the incident. Despite multiple CCTVs, prison guards, and special security arrangements at the jail, four inmates – gangster Yogesh Tonda, Deepak Titar, Rajesh Singh, and Pawan Kumar – managed to kill Tajpuriya inside a high-risk ward. The incident has exposed loopholes in the security arrangements at the jail, and the authorities have vowed to take corrective measures.
Conclusion
Tillu Tajpuriya’s life and death represent the dark underbelly of Delhi’s gangland culture. His rise to power, alleged crimes, and violent death is a testament to the lawlessness and brutality that exist in parts of Indian society. The incident has once again highlighted the need for stronger measures to combat gang violence and improve the safety of inmates in Indian prisons.
