Raju murder may spark reprisals, cops on alert

Jaipur: Many associates of slain gangster Raju Theth will soon be under the police scanner as efforts are on to avert reprisals and turf wars in Rajasthan.
The followers of Theth, who was gunned down outside his home in Sikar on Saturday, could engage in skirmishes in a bid to avenge his murder, said police officials. The murder in cold blood has enraged his supporters and already prompted several of them to post messages on social media decrying it.
Additional DG (crime) Ravi Prakash Meharda said the SAHO (strict action against habitual offenders) operation would be intensified in the following days and that all district SPs will keep a close watch over suspects in their areas.
Theth’s murder came as a surprise to even veteran cops because many of them had thought the Shekhawati cartel’s bloodletting spree had ended with the death of Anandpal Singh in 2017. Theth was a key figure in the cartel that emerged when liquor smuggling took root in Sikar and Churu in the early 2000s. The rivalry between Singh and Theth had kept the cops on their toes until Singh was killed in a police shootout.
“Anandpal had died, and Theth was in jail. As time wore on, gang wars between these mafia bosses also died down. Even Theth had become a little complacent,” said a senior police official, adding that it is important more than ever to remain alert to gangs forging new alliances.
“It is possible that someone might try to avenge Theth’s death, and that is where the cops have to work extensively,” added the official.