Jaipur: Karni Sena chief shot dead, gangster claims responsibility
Unidentified gunmen shot dead Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena (SRRKS) President Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi in broad daylight in Rajasthan's Jaipur on Tuesday. Rajasthan Director General of Police (DGP) Umesh Mishra said four assailants entered a house Gogamedi was in and shot him, his security guard, and an associate, per PTI. Moreover, gangster Rohit Godara—associated with the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang—claimed responsibility for the killing.
Received threats from Lawrence Bishnoi gang member
Reportedly, Gogamedi previously received threats from Sampat Nehra of the Bishnoi gang. In August, the SRRKS claimed a conspiracy was being hatched against it after its Rajasthan chief, Bhanwar Singh Saladiya, was shot at in Udaipur by a former member. Separately, in June, local Karni Sena functionary Mohit Patel (27) was found dead in his car with bullet wounds in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Won't accept body until culprits are hanged: Rajput community members
One of the assailants, Naveen Singh Shekhawat, was reportedly shot dead in retaliatory fire. The police said other suspects were on the run. Meanwhile, Rajput community members and the SRRKS demanded immediate arrest of the accused, saying Gogamedi had been receiving threats for the last year and even sought additional police protection. They said they won't accept Gogamedi's body until the culprits are hanged.
What we know about gangster Godara
Soon after Gogamedi's killing, Godara claimed responsibility for it on Facebook. A native of Lunakaran in Bikaner, Rajasthan, he is believed to be in Canada. He is associated with the Bishnoi and Goldy Brar gangs. At least 32 cases are registered against him across India. Involved in several extortion rackets in Rajasthan, Godara is also accused in singer-politician Sidhu Moose Wala's 2022 murder case.
SRRKS split from SRKS in 2015
Notably, Gogamedi's SRRKS is different from the Shri Rajput Karni Sena (SRKS), which famously led protests against the 2008 film Jodhaa Akbar. Late Lokendra Singh Kalvi founded the SRKS in 2006. Gogamedi was reportedly expelled from the group in 2015, following which he formed the SRRKS. Moreover, the SRRKS has been pressing for increasing the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) quota to 14% in Rajasthan.
SRRKS led protests against 'Padmaavat'
In the last few years, Gogamedi's SRRKS reportedly left its parent organization behind as it caught the public eye by launching violent protests. Most notably, it rallied against Padmaavat (2017) and assaulted its director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, during the film's shooting at Jaipur's Jaigarh Fort.
Entire Rajput community is united: SRKS leader
Speaking on Gogamedi's killing, SRKS Jaipur unit chief Narayan Singh Divrala told The Indian Express, "Our outfits may have been different, but the entire Rajput community is united at this tough time." "Gogamedi had been receiving threats...and had also asked for more security from the police...We are not going to accept the body as long as our demands are not met," he added.
