Pandit murder: Police probe points to role of Bhati gang

The police team probing the murder of BJP leader Vijay Pandit has detained two members of the Sunder Bhati gang.
The murder was planned by wanted criminal Balraj Bhati, a former constable of Delhi Police and close associate of Sundar Bhati, according to a source in the probe team who was speaking on condition of anonymity.
He said that the BJP leader was killed because of his crusade against extortionists in the area and also because he had been urging the family members of his slain friend Ravinder Sharma to not turn hostile in the case, the accused in which were the members of the Sunder Bhati gang.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Davinder Chauhan today ruled out any political angle in the case.
Pandit's close associate Sharma was shot dead in Dadri on September 12, 2012.
However, in August, 2013, the accused got bail and it was alleged that they had managed to convince Sharma's family members to withdraw the case.
Pandit had opposed the move and asked Sharma's family members to not settle the matter with the accused, the source said.
Balraj, who was angry with Pandit over his opposition to extortion, planned the murder with the accused in the Sharma case, the source added.