Ranjan Pathak Gang: 4 Bihar Criminals Killed in Delhi

In a significant police operation in Delhi’s Rohini area in the early hours of October 23, 2025, four members of the notorious Ranjan Pathak gang, wanted in Bihar, were shot dead in a joint encounter between Delhi Police Crime Branch and Bihar Police. The incident occurred around 2:20 AM at Bahadur Shah Marg after the police attempted to intercept the gang members, who opened fire on them. The police retaliated, leading to a fierce shootout where all four sustained fatal bullet injuries and were declared dead at Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital in Rohini.

The gangsters have been identified as Ranjan Pathak (25), the leader, Bimlesh Mahto (25), Manish Pathak (33), and Aman Thakur (21). While Aman Thakur was a resident of Delhi’s Karwal Nagar, the others hailed from Sitamarhi district in Bihar. Ranjan Pathak and his group, known as the Sigma Gang, were involved in a string of heinous crimes including multiple murders, armed robberies, and extortion in Bihar, particularly in Sitamarhi and neighboring districts. The gang had spread terror in the region for over six years and had recently intensified their activities, including a series of five back-to-back murders that deeply shook local communities.

According to police sources, the gang was planning a major conspiracy to unleash violence ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. The operation followed credible intelligence inputs about their movements and intentions. The Bihar Director General of Police confirmed the gang’s plan to create terror during the election period and praised the coordination between the Bihar and Delhi police forces, which ultimately led to this encounter. The police also acknowledged that the gang had gained notoriety for their brutality and had even sent threats and taunts to law enforcement via social media, indicating their audacity.

This deadly encounter has sparked a variety of reactions. On one hand, some see it as a necessary act of law enforcement to curb organized crime and protect public safety, especially given the gang’s history of violence and intent to disrupt democratic processes. On the other hand, encounters remain a sensitive topic in India, raising questions about due process, human rights, and the broader criminal justice system’s ability to handle such cases.

From a neutral perspective, this incident highlights the persistent challenges law enforcement agencies face combating organized crime that crosses state boundaries. The joint operation signifies improved cooperation between state police forces, which is essential against increasingly mobile and dangerous criminal networks. At the same time, it also emphasizes the need for systemic measures to address the root causes of crime, such as poverty, lack of education, and political exploitation of vulnerable populations.

The Delhi and Bihar police continue their investigations into the gang’s network and any remaining associates to prevent further criminal activities. Meanwhile, local communities and election authorities remain alert as Bihar prepares for its assembly polls, hoping for peace and security to prevail during the crucial democratic exercise.

This encounter serves as a reminder of the complex balance between maintaining law and order and upholding justice in a democratic society, reflecting the ongoing struggle to ensure safety without compromising human rights and legal norms.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies