Exhibitions of bullets, bombs, and gunpowder. Processions of luxury vehicles stretching far and wide. A style of domination over the world that could captivate anyone. These gangsters move with an army of henchmen, firing into the air. Wherever they stop, SUVs create a blockade. They regard Bollywood's villains as their heroes, emulating their every move in real life, influencing many who fall under their sway. And social media bolsters their image. Search the name 'Kala Jathedi' or 'Lawrence Bishnoi' on any social media platform, and countless pages will automatically unfold. Just like actors and politicians, these gangsters have fan pages too.
Thousands follow these criminals on social media. On YouTube, their life likenesses stun viewers, leaving them wondering if these are real-life accounts or movie clips. These videos portray them as heroes, captivating commoners and influential people alike. Despite this, the administration and government often turn a blind eye until a high-profile incident forces them to take notice. Shouldn't there be action against those uploading such pictures and videos of criminals? How can such fan pages be allowed, which serve as havens for thugs? What exactly is the police doing?
Kala Jathedi made a headlining appearance at his younger brother's wedding in 2019.
The police's negligence is immense; some might compare them to the fabled blind king Dhritarashtra. Don't take our word for it—check out YouTube videos of Kala Jathedi, especially one from his brother Pradeep's wedding in 2019. A menacing dialogue from the movie Ghatak opens the video, 'Katiya'... The police are seen walking with Kala Jathedi as if he's not a criminal but a VIP. This relationship further tarnishes the police's reputation and emboldens criminals.
Film-like entries, greetings in a hero's style
The wedding hosted at Kangaroo Garden in Sonipat had a tight security arrangement to bring Kala Jathedi from jail. Accompanied by police vans and plenty of officers, he disembarked, smiling and greeting like a politician or actor. But the shameless saga of the police unfolded soon after. Despite their presence, hundreds of guests brandished weapons and even fired shots into the air, with the police joining the revelry instead of intervening.
The officer began puffing a hookah, engrossed by the festive atmosphere
An officer even indulged in hookah smoking amidst the vibrant affair. The truth is that such collusion between policemen and criminals sustains crime. Otherwise, reforming these wrongdoers wouldn't be a daunting task for the police. Another disturbing video involves Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar amidst waving guns and thugs, hinting at deep ties between the sportsman and criminals. This video, alongside an older photograph depicting Sushil Kumar seated on a chair while Kala Jathedi's brother Pradeep sits on the floor, indicates not just collaboration but familial ties.
Read also: The extraordinary story of the lady don set to marry the infamous gangster, with a penchant for AK-47s and a cunning mind
The beginning of animosity between Sushil Kumar and Kala Jathedi
The once-friendship has now turned into enmity. Last year, Sushil allegedly beat Sonu Mahal, a distant relative of Kala Jathedi, to death. It is rumored Sushil mistook Sonu for someone else and sought the help of other criminals to apologize to Jathedi after realizing his error. However, reports suggest that Jathedi is set on revenge. With many of Jathedi's gang members already in jail, the wrestler fears not only attacks in prison but also during court appearances. Sushil Kumar's alliance with the Neeraj Bawana gang, who were involved in the incident, adds to the tension.
Sushil Kumar's foray into both wrestling and the criminal world
The nexus between wrestlers and criminals is not new. Many wrestlers become bouncers or join gangs upon their career's decline. But Sushil's case is alarming as he failed to keep himself apart from gangs despite his success. The Sagar Dhankar murder case emerged from this fatal misstep. Sushil's double-dealing—maintaining ties with Kala Jathedi while supporting Neeraj Bawana—was bound to clash, culminating in an eventful night on May 4, 2021.
Also read: The Umesh Pal Murder Case: Preparing for a significant crackdown, police net tightens around Atique Ahmed's sons Ali and Umar
A multi-million flat became the real reason for hostility with Jathedi
According to police sources, after growing close to Kala Jathedi, Olympian Sushil Kumar began getting involved in disputed property cases. They jointly acquired a flat worth nearly three crores in Model Town. Initially, Sagar Dhankhar occupied the property, but later, Kala Jathedi intended to sell the property for profit, whereas Sushil Kumar wanted to reclaim it. This disagreement marked the onset of their hostile relationship, pushing Sushil towards Delhi's biggest gangster, Neeraj Bawana. For Bawana, Sushil's stature was an opportunity to counter Kala Jathedi.
The stark reality of connections between the worlds of wrestling and crime
Neeraj Bawana, involved in extortion and property encroachment, needed strong enforcers. Sushil Kumar facilitated this need by supplying wrestlers to gangsters. The boundary between the athletic fields and the criminal world blurs, as the grapplers provided to gangsters mostly emerge from wrestling rings in Delhi and Haryana. The athletes who don't reach the heights in sports often end up as bouncers or gang minions, eventually slipping into the underworld.