Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, a well-known Rajput figure from Rajasthan, was having tea with four others at his home in Jaipur when a shocking incident occurred. In the midst of their conversation, two individuals abruptly stood up and fired at Mr. Gogamedi, leaving him injured on the floor.
The entire tragic event, captured on CCTV, has led to widespread protests in Rajasthan. This comes at a time of political transition in the state, following the recent assembly elections where the BJP replaced the incumbent Congress government led by Ashok Gehlot.
Who Was Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi?
In 2015, Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi established the Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena after being ousted from the Shri Rajput Karni Sena due to disagreements with its founder, Lokendra Singh Kalvi.
Originally founded in 2006, the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, primarily composed of Rajput youth, advocates for caste-based reservations benefiting Rajputs. Initially, Mr. Gogamedi held a significant role as the Rajasthan president of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena and was a trusted associate of Mr. Kalvi. However, their political variances eventually led Mr. Gogamedi to create a separate faction.
The Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena and its leader, Mr. Gogamedi, gained prominence for leading protests against the 2018 Bollywood film ‘Padmaavat,’ starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor.
Rajput factions in Rajasthan, including Mr. Gogamedi’s group, expressed discontent and damaged the film’s sets, alleging that it portrayed Padmavati, a Rajput queen, negatively. During the protests, the film’s director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, was attacked at Jaipur’s Jaigarh Fort by the Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena.
The situation garnered national attention when a member of another Karni Sena group offered a ₹10 crore bounty on Deepika Padukone.
Mr. Gogamedi also led protests against the police encounter of gangster Anand Pal Singh. Rajputs in the state contended that Singh, who they believed intended to surrender, was unjustly shot dead by the police, making his death a rallying point for the community.
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Who Claims Responsibility for Sukhdev Gogamedi’s Murder?
During the recent shootout at Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi’s home, Naveen Singh Shekhawat, one of the three gunmen, lost his life, while a security guard was seriously wounded.
The responsibility for the murder of Sukhdev Gogamedi has been claimed by Rohit Godara, a known associate of Goldie Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi’s gangs.
In a social media post, Godara, who hails from Lunakaran in Bikaner and is believed to be residing in Canada, stated, “I am Rohit Godara Kapursari, brother of Goldie Brar. Today we take full responsibility for the murder of Sukhdev Gogamedi,” Godara wrote on social media. “He (Mr Gogamedi) used to back our enemies.”
Godara faces legal trouble with over 32 cases filed against him across different police stations in India.
SIT Established to Apprehend Suspects in Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi Case
The Director General of Police, Umesh Mishra, has taken decisive action by forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the tragic killing. Heading this team is Additional Director General (Crime) Dinesh MN. In a bid to expedite justice, a cash reward of ₹5 lakh has been announced for any information leading to the apprehension of the two accused individuals.
Simultaneously, the Rajasthan Police has initiated search operations to locate the perpetrators. The victim, Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, was allegedly targeted for supporting individuals opposed to gangster Rohit Godara, associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Godara has claimed responsibility for the murder via a Facebook post.
Businesses Shut in Various Regions as Outcry Grows
In response to the tragic incident, markets in Jaipur, Bundi, Ajmer, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, and other districts remained closed. Udaipur witnessed a mass rally, and a demonstration unfolded at the collectorate circle amid heightened police presence.
The victim, Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, a prominent figure associated with Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, was fatally shot in Jaipur, prompting widespread outrage within the Rajput community. This led to a statewide bandh on Wednesday, reflecting the community’s collective grief and demand for justice.
Concerns Raised Over Security Measures
Mahipal Singh Makrana, the national president of Shri Rajput Karni Sena, has raised concerns about the security lapses leading to the tragic incident. He demanded the removal of the state police chief, holding them responsible for failing to provide adequate security to Gogamedi.
Makrana highlighted that there were prior intelligence inputs from the Punjab Police regarding the potential threat to Sukhdev Gogamedi’s life. Despite this, the Rajasthan Police allegedly did not take adequate measures to ensure his safety. He emphasized the need for swift action, including the removal of the Director General and accountability for the police officials deemed negligent in their duties.
Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi FAQs
Q.1. Who was Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi?
Ans. Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi was a well-known Rajput figure from Rajasthan, notable for founding the Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena in 2015. He gained prominence for leading protests against the Bollywood film ‘Padmaavat’ in 2018.
Q.2. What led to the tragic incident at Sukhdev Gogamedi’s home?
Ans. While having tea with four others in Jaipur, two individuals abruptly stood up and fired at Mr. Gogamedi, leaving him injured on the floor. The entire incident was captured on CCTV, sparking widespread protests in Rajasthan.
Q.3. Who claimed responsibility for Sukhdev Gogamedi’s murder?
Ans. Rohit Godara, an associate of Goldie Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi’s gangs, claimed responsibility for the murder in a social media post. Godara accused Mr. Gogamedi of supporting their enemies.
Q.4. What actions have been taken by the authorities?
Ans. The Director General of Police, Umesh Mishra, formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Additional Director General (Crime) Dinesh MN to investigate the killing. A cash reward of ₹5 lakh has been announced for information leading to the apprehension of the accused.
Q.5. How did the community react to Sukhdev Gogamedi’s murder?
Ans. The Rajput community expressed widespread outrage, leading to protests and a statewide bandh. Markets in various districts remained closed, and demonstrations were held to demand justice.
