Wanted Gangster with ₹2 lakh bounty killed in police encounter in Gurugram
Around the Bar Gurjar Chowki area, the gangster attempted to evade capture and when the police tried to stop him, wanted gangster Saroj Rai opened fire on the police team
In a joint operation by the Gurugram and Bihar Police, wanted gangster Saroj Rai was killed during an encounter on Friday in Manesar. Rai, a wanted criminal with a bounty of ₹2 lakh declared by Bihar Police, had allegedly over 32 criminal cases registered against him in Bihar.
The gangster was allegedly planning a major crime in Gurugram when he was intercepted by the police. (Representative file photo)
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The gangster was allegedly planning a major crime in Gurugram when he was intercepted by the police.
Acting on information from Bihar Police, Gurugram Police set up barricades at strategic locations after learning that Rai would enter Gurugram from Nuh in Manesar area. Around the Bar Gurjar Chowki area, the gangster attempted to evade capture. When the police tried to stop him, Rai opened fire on the police team.
Police said Rai was shot in the ensuing crossfire, while a Bihar Police officer sustained gunshot injuries.
“The injured officer was rushed to the hospital and is currently undergoing treatment. Meanwhile, an accomplice of Rai managed to escape, and efforts are underway to locate him,” said a senior police officer of Gurugram police.
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Criminal background of Saroj Rai
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Criminal background of Saroj Rai
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Rai gained notoriety in 2014 after the murder of prominent medicine trader Yatindra Khaitan. The killing was allegedly carried out after Khaitan refused to pay extortion money. This incident brought Rai into the spotlight for the first time, although his criminal activities had already claimed the lives of at least six other businessmen who had similarly refused his demands.
Bihar Police had been keeping a close watch on Rai, conducting extensive raids across the state. When their efforts to capture him proved unsuccessful, a bounty of ₹50,000 was announced for information leading to his arrest. This reward was later increased to ₹2 lakh as Rai continued to evade capture.
With the pressure mounting, Rai began moving between states, hiding in different locations to escape law enforcement.
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Through advanced scientific research and investigation, the police eventually discovered that Rai was hiding in Haryana.
Working in coordination with Haryana Police, they tracked him to Manesar. When the police team attempted to arrest him, Rai opened fire in an attempt to escape. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, Rai was shot.
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest.
Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents.
Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure.
Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing.
Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity.
Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations.
Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling.
A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.
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