Movie-like gunfight in Gurugram's upscale Sushant Lok kills 4, puts spotlight again on rapper-gangster Deepak Nandal

A fierce gunfight in Gurugram's upscale Sushant Lok colony, where over 60 rounds were fired, has left four alleged gangsters dead and brought renewed attention to Deepak Nandal, a figure police describe as an international extortion kingpin.

The encounter began late Thursday night when five suspected members of Nandal's gang allegedly entered the home of property dealer Vishal Beri, holding him hostage. Crime Branch teams responded to the scene. According to police, when officers demanded the suspects surrender, they opened fire, igniting a shootout. Four alleged shooters were killed, one was injured, and three police officers also sustained bullet wounds. Beri was safely rescued.

Residents described the scene as resembling an action film, with sustained gunfire echoing through the affluent neighborhood before police secured the area. The incident has once again placed Nandal, who was once associated with the Haryanvi music industry, in the spotlight. Reports from 2020 linked him to artists like Rahul Fazilpuria and Badshah, with Nandal serving as a producer for songs like ‘Kar Gayi Chull’ and appearing in music videos.

Investigators now allege that Nandal transitioned from music production to organized crime, starting with local disputes and arms smuggling before moving into extortion and contract killings. Police believe he fled India in 2023 and now operates internationally, possibly from the UK, directing criminal activities in Haryana and the Delhi-NCR region through local operatives. He is believed to use encrypted messaging and social media platforms for communication.