A late-night gun battle in Gurugram’s upscale Sushant Lok Colony, in which more than 60 shots were fired and four alleged gangsters were killed, has once again put the spotlight on Deepak Nandal, a former Haryanvi producer and musician who police say now runs an international extortion syndicate targeting businessmen and other high-profile individuals from abroad.
Hostage crisis and then shooting
The encounter broke out on Thursday evening at Sushant Lok’s premises after five alleged members of the Nandal gang entered the house of real estate dealer Vishal Beri, son of SGT University founder, and held him hostage, police said.
Police told news agency PTI that Crime Branch teams rushed to the scene after receiving information about the presence of armed men inside the house.
When the officers asked the suspects to surrender, they allegedly opened fire, leading to a violent exchange that left four of the alleged shooters dead and another wounded. Three police officers were also injured by bullets, while Perry was rescued safely.
The encounter, which took place in one of Gurugram’s wealthier residential neighbourhoods, resembled a scene from an action movie, with residents reporting continuing gunfire before police secured the area.
From music videos to the underworld
Long before he became one of the most wanted gangsters of the Haryana Police, Nandal, who spent his early years in Rohtak, was associated with the Haryanvi music industry.
According to 2020 reports, Nandal was then a long-time partner of singer Rahul Fazilpuria and rapper Badshah. He was the producer of the original Haryanvi version of “Kar Gayi Chull”, along with songs like “2 Many Girls” and “Haryana Roadways”, and has also appeared in music videos with the artists. In an interview published at the time, Nandal described Badshah and Fazilpuria as “like my brothers”.
In fact, one of Nandal’s first brushes with shame was also connected to this friendship, when in 2019 he assaulted social media influencer Deepak Kalal over alleged derogatory comments against Fazilpuria.
Police now allege the man once linked to the chart-makers has built an organized crime syndicate. Nandal first came under scrutiny in local disputes and illegal arms smuggling before turning to extortion and contract killing.
Police believe he fled India in 2023 and has since been operating from abroad, possibly from the UK, allegedly directing crimes in Haryana and Delhi-National Capital through local recruits from these regions and neighboring states like Punjab, while using encrypted messaging platforms and social media.
Police have not officially revealed which country he is currently operating from, although investigators previously indicated he was believed to have been active in the UAE, UK and Canada. The legal process to obtain a red corner notice against him is reportedly underway.
Fallout with Fazilpuria
The latest confrontation comes after a series of attacks that investigators have linked to the Nandal gang.
In July 2025, Haryanvi singer Rahul Fazilpuria escaped unhurt after militants opened fire on his SUV on the Southern Peripheral Road in Gurugram.
After the attack, social media posts, allegedly made in the names of Nandal, Sunil Sardhania and Indrajit Yadav, claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging that Fazilpuria had failed to return. $It borrowed Rs 5 crore from Nandal.
The alleged rift was followed by another attack in August 2025, when Rohit Shokin, one of Fazilpuria’s associates, was shot dead in Gurugram. Nandal claimed responsibility for the killing.
More recently, in May this year, militants allegedly linked to the Nandal gang opened fire on the residence of Fazilpuria events director Saurabh Yadav in Kanhai village. Constable Colbert, who was deployed to protect Yadav, was shot and injured in the attack.
Days later, Gurugram Police arrested the alleged shooters Gursher Singh alias Shera and Jaspal alias Babal from Punjab. During interrogation, the two allegedly revealed that they had come to kill Yadav, while the other accused identified the target house and arranged vehicles, weapons and logistical support, police told PTI. Four of the alleged facilitators were previously arrested in this case.
Syndicate abroad
Haryana Police allege that Nandal now runs an international extortion network, recruiting youth through Facebook, Instagram and YouTube while using WhatsApp and Signal to coordinate operations.
Police say builders, businessmen, fashion designers and singers across Delhi and the NCR have been among his alleged targets in recent years.
Investigators also say the gang routinely claims responsibility for shootings on social media to bolster extortion threats.
Police say Thursday night’s operation followed the same pattern. Investigators suspect that the gunmen arrived at Perry’s home as part of an extortion attempt before the hostage situation prompted a police response.
