MUMBAI: A Mumbai sessions court on Friday acquitted members of the Gurgaon Police and their civilian accomplices for the 2016 fake encounter of Haryana gangster Sandeep Gadoli in a Mumbai hotel. The court did not find evidence that the incident, originally reported by police as a retaliatory shootout in self-defence, was actually a premeditated contract killing orchestrated by a rival gang leader and carried out by rogue officers.The prosecution had argued that the “encounter” was a staged operation. On Feb 7, 2016, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Pradyumn Yadav entered Room 107 of the Airport Metro Hotel in Andheri. While the police claimed Gadoli opened fire first, the police cited forensic evidence and ballistic reports and alleged that Gadoli was unarmed and lying on his bed when he was shot. Investigators found that the police later planted a country-made pistol near the body and fired shots into the hotel walls to simulate a crossfire.The allegedly conspiracy involved a “honey trap” led by Divya Pahuja, who accompanied Gadoli on his trip to Mumbai. Divya allegedly provided constant location updates to her mother, Sonia Pahuja, who acted as a middleman. Phone transcripts revealed the use of medical code words to signal the hit team. Sonia allegedly instructed Divya to say “Main thik hu” (I am fine) to indicate Gadoli was alone, and “Main dawai leke aayi hu” (I have taken the medicine) to signal that he was with her and the team should move in.The motive behind the killing was allegedly rooted in a gang war for supremacy in Gurgaon. Binder Gujjar, a rival criminal, masterminded the hit from jail to eliminate Gadoli, whom he blamed for the death of his driver. Binder’s brother, Manoj Gujjar, served as the primary link between the incarcerated mastermind, the Pahuja family, and the police team. He was allegedly involved with Sonia in a romantic relationship. Call Detail Records (CDR) allegedly confirmed constant communication between the police and the Gujjar family leading up to the shooting.While Divya Pahuja was killed in early 2024 following her release on bail, the court acquitted the remaining accused—including PSI Pradyumn Yadav, several constables, and Sonia Pahuja.
