All Accused Acquitted in Killing of Gurugram Gangster Sandeep Gadoli

Nearly a decade after the controversial killing of Gurugram-based gangster Sandeep Gadoli, a Mumbai sessions court has acquitted all eight accused, including five Haryana Police personnel.

The verdict brings legal closure to one of the most debated “encounter” cases in recent years — but questions surrounding the incident remain unresolved.

Court Finds Evidence Insufficient

The court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove charges beyond reasonable doubt, despite examining 43 witnesses over the course of the trial. It also declined a request to summon additional senior police officers, stating that no new evidence had emerged.

What Happened in 2016

Gadoli was shot dead on February 7, 2016, at a hotel near Mumbai’s international airport during an operation by a Gurugram Police team.

Police had maintained that the encounter was genuine, claiming Gadoli — who was wanted in multiple criminal cases — opened fire first, forcing officers to retaliate. 

Family Alleged ‘Fake Encounter’

The narrative shifted when Gadoli’s family alleged that the killing was staged. They accused police officials of being part of a larger conspiracy involving rival gangster Binder Gujjar and others.

The case came before the Bombay High Court, which ordered an inquiry by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

SIT Investigation - Several Inconsistencies 

The investigation by the SIT revealed several inconsistencies in the case:

• Gadoli had been left unattended for nearly 20 minutes after being shot 
• The CCTV footage had several gaps and appeared to have been doctored
• The weapon had been planted
• The cameras had been damaged 
• The Mumbai Police filed charges against several individuals based on the evidence collected by the SIT.

Court Verdict vs. Public Perception

The court, while acquitting the accused, stated that the evidence put forward had not been strong enough to prove the charges of murder or conspiracy.

However, the acquittal of the accused might not be the final word in the debate. The family has already stated its intention to appeal the case.

Case Still Casts a Shadow

The case has continued to be in the minds of the public not only because of the alleged encounter, but also because of the events that followed, including the murder of Divya Pahuja in 2024, who was linked to the case.

The court has closed the case on legal grounds, but the mystery surrounding the events that occurred on the night of 2016 still persists.