Investigations into the murder of businessman Ratan Kumar in Chattarpur Enclave have revealed that he was shot 69 times by a group of five to six assailants on November 30 while he was heading to his dairy, police sources said.

Investigators believe the killing was a contract hit ordered from abroad, allegedly as retaliation for the murder of another businessman seven months earlier — a crime in which Kumar’s son, Deepak Kumar, is accused.

Hit ordered by gangsters based overseas

Police suspect the murder was planned at the behest of the victim’s family of the businessman who was earlier gunned down, allegedly by Deepak. The hit is believed to have been executed on the instructions of two gangsters operating from overseas — Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Faridpuria.

According to police, one group of shooters was arranged by Bhau and Faridpuria, while the remaining assailants were linked to UP-based gangster Randeep Bhati.

One of the main shooters has been identified as Anuj. Police have identified five hitmen so far, all of whom are absconding, and lookout circulars have been issued against them.

Links to earlier murder and gang rivalry

Faridpuria, a native of Haryana and a former member of the Bambiha gang, is now believed to be working with Bhau. He faces over 25 criminal cases and reportedly fled India in 2019, travelling via Dubai before settling in Canada. Bhau is said to be based in Portugal.

Police say the motive appears to be revenge for the killing of a businessman on May 24 in Chattarpur, allegedly carried out by Deepak while returning home with his father.

Family had severed ties with son

Kumar’s daughter Deepika Kumar said the family had cut all ties with Deepak after his alleged involvement in the earlier murder. “My father took this step to protect the family from the ongoing rivalry,” she said.

Through his lawyer, Kumar had even issued a public notice in newspapers formally disowning his son and barring him from inheriting family property. The notice stated that Kumar would not be responsible for his son’s actions, debts or dealings.

Despite this, Deepika said her father continued to receive threats. “It has been nearly three weeks since his murder. The killers are still absconding, and no protection has been given to our family,” she said.

Police say no security sought

A senior police officer, however, said the family had not sought any security cover. After Deepak’s arrest in the May murder case, Kumar had filed a police complaint naming 13 people and stating that he feared for his life, reiterating that he had severed all ties with his son.

Police investigations are continuing, with multiple teams working to track the absconding shooters and establish the full conspiracy behind what they describe as a brutal, gang-linked revenge killing