PTI

Mumbai, Nov 12: A topnotch lieutenant in the Chhota Rajan gang Lakhan Gupta, wanted in over 10 murder cases, 25 robberies and several extortion cases, was killed in a police encounter at 8.15pm near the Nani Nani Park in Versova on Saturday. The operation was conducted jointly by sleuths attached to the DN Nagar and Versova police stations.

A police official said, “The Rajan gang would be hit hard as Gupta was high up in the hierarchy, even overshadowing DK Rao, currently incarcerated.”

Gupta handled the toughest assignments. He not only recruited members and trained new contract killers, he even procured weapons for hits commissioned by Rajan.”

Gupta moved big time in 1992 when he orchestrated the escape of another notorious criminal Maya Dolas from the Bakripada in central Mumbai even as the special task force of the Mumbai police was closing in on him.

Along with Madhu Kutty, he also carried out the killing of a Dahisar-based developer in the early 1990s in a daylight incident when as the victim was entering a temple. Gupta was also wanted for the gunning down of a security guard employed by media and construction business owner Uday Acharya in 1998. Acharya was himself subsequently arrested by the police for duping several investors in Mumbai.

Gupta was also accused for the triple murder in Palghar of Sunil Wade and two of his henchmen and two rival gang members.