Sandeep, alias Kala Jathedi, is one of India’s most infamous gangsters, a name synonymous with organized crime, daring escapes, and a vast criminal empire stretching across northern India. Born in the rural landscapes of Haryana, Kala Jathedi transformed from an unassuming cable operator into a feared underworld figure with connections to some of the country’s most notorious criminals, including Lawrence Bishnoi. With over 30 FIRs filed against him for crimes ranging from murder to extortion, his life is a gripping tale of ambition, violence, and resilience.
Early Life and Background
Kala Jathedi, born Sandeep in 1984, hails from Jathedi village in Sonipat, Haryana, a region known for its rustic charm and agricultural roots. Growing up in a modest family, Sandeep completed his education up to Class 12, a feat that hinted at a conventional future. After finishing school, he briefly worked as a cable operator, a humble job that belied the dark path he would soon tread. Little is known about his family’s dynamics during his formative years, but the rural setting of Sonipat, coupled with its proximity to crime-prone areas, likely influenced his eventual plunge into the underworld.
By his mid-20s, Sandeep’s life took a dramatic turn. His first brush with crime came in June 2009, when he allegedly committed a murder during a robbery in Rohtak, Haryana. This marked the beginning of his descent into a life of lawlessness, setting the stage for a criminal career that would span over a decade.
Entry into Crime: The Making of Kala Jathedi
Sandeep’s transformation into Kala Jathedi began with small-time robberies, but his ambition quickly outgrew petty theft. In March 2010, he was involved in another murder in Gohana, Sonipat, stemming from an old enmity. This incident landed him a life sentence by a Sonipat court, but it also introduced him to a pivotal figure—Lawrence Bishnoi, a jailed gangster who would become his mentor and ally.
While serving time, Kala Jathedi reportedly curried favor with Bishnoi by eliminating some of his rivals, forging a bond that would define his criminal trajectory. His prison stint was short-lived, however. On February 1, 2020, in a daring operation, an armed gang ambushed a police van transporting him from Bhondsi jail to a court hearing in Faridabad. The attack, allegedly orchestrated by Bishnoi’s associate Raj Kumar Basodi, freed Kala Jathedi, catapulting him into the spotlight as a fugitive with a Rs 7 lakh bounty on his head.
Rise to Power: The Lawrence Bishnoi Connection
After his escape, Kala Jathedi wasted no time in expanding his criminal empire. With Bishnoi behind bars in Ajmer jail, Jathedi became the operational head of the Bishnoi syndicate, a gang notorious for extortion, contract killings, and control over toll booths, real estate, and liquor rackets across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Uttarakhand. His alliance with Bishnoi was strategic—exploiting the power vacuum left by the arrests or deaths of rival gangsters like Neeraj Bawania and Anand Pal Singh.
Kala Jathedi’s gang grew to over 100 members, including sharpshooters and logisticians like Kala Rana (suspected to be in Thailand) and Goldy Brar (operating from Canada). Using code names—Jathedi as “Alpha,” Rana as “Tiger,” and Brar as “Doctor”—the syndicate executed over 25 murders in a 10-month span, cementing its reputation as a ruthless force. Jathedi’s ability to operate from hiding, shuttling between safehouses in Haryana and rumored international bases like Dubai and Bangkok, added to his mystique.
High-Profile Crimes and Infamy
Kala Jathedi’s criminal resume is littered with audacious acts that grabbed headlines and rattled law enforcement. One such incident was the GTB Hospital shootout on March 25, 2021. Jathedi orchestrated a dramatic rescue attempt to free his henchman Kuldeep Fajja from police custody at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital in Delhi. Armed with a Scorpio SUV bearing a police sticker, his gang fired shots, threw chili powder at officers, and fled. Though Fajja was later killed in an encounter, the event showcased Jathedi’s boldness and reach.
Another defining moment came with the Sagar Dhankar murder case in May 2021. The killing of junior wrestler Sagar Dhankar at Chhatrasal Stadium by Olympian Sushil Kumar brought Jathedi into the spotlight. Dhankar’s friend Sonu Mahal, Jathedi’s nephew, was also assaulted in the brawl, sparking a feud with Kumar. Jathedi vowed revenge, forcing Kumar into hiding before his eventual arrest. Reports suggest Kumar had briefly allied with Jathedi to control disputed properties in Delhi, only for their partnership to sour over financial disagreements.
Jathedi’s gang also engaged in large-scale extortion, targeting builders and property dealers. A notable 2024 case involved his US-based operative Aman Lather, who, alongside Jathedi’s cousins Rohit and Ritik, ran an extortion racket that included violent attacks on businesses like Tony Builders in Delhi’s Mohan Garden.
Arrest and Legal Battles
Kala Jathedi’s reign as a fugitive ended on July 30, 2021, when Delhi Police’s Special Cell nabbed him in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, nearly 200 km from Delhi. Initially believed to be operating from abroad, he was found hiding in Haryana, a revelation that underscored his cunning. Facing charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), Jathedi was incarcerated in Tihar Jail, where he remains as of March 2025.
Despite his imprisonment, his influence persists. In December 2024, police uncovered an extortion racket linked to him, highlighting his ability to orchestrate crimes from behind bars through proxies like Aman Lather and Goldy Brar.
Personal Life: The Wedding That Shocked India
Kala Jathedi’s personal life garnered as much attention as his crimes. On March 12, 2024, he married Anuradha Choudhary, alias “Madam Minz” or “Lady Don,” in a heavily guarded ceremony in Dwarka, Delhi. Choudhary, a history-sheeter with multiple FIRs for money laundering, abduction, and arms violations, was out on bail, while Jathedi was granted a six-hour parole from Tihar Jail. The wedding, attended by armed police and held under tight security, became a media spectacle, symbolizing the intersection of crime and audacity.
The couple’s union solidified their status as a criminal power duo, with Choudhary carrying a Rs 1 lakh bounty and a reputation as a formidable figure in her own right.
Family Tragedy and Public Perception
In July 2024, Kala Jathedi’s mother, Kamla Devi, passed away under mysterious circumstances in Sonipat. Initial investigations suggested she accidentally consumed insecticide, though the incident fueled speculation given her son’s notoriety. Jathedi was granted parole to attend her funeral, a moment that humanized the gangster in the eyes of some, while others saw it as a testament to his enduring influence.
On social media, Jathedi cultivated a larger-than-life persona, with his gang posting videos flaunting guns and physique, alongside updates on arrests to protect members from police encounters. This duality—ruthless criminal and strategic communicator—has kept him relevant even in captivity.
Top FAQs About Kala Jathedi
- Who is Kala Jathedi?
Kala Jathedi, born Sandeep, is a notorious Indian gangster from Sonipat, Haryana, known for his association with Lawrence Bishnoi and crimes like murder, extortion, and organized syndicate operations. - What is Kala Jathedi’s real name?
His real name is Sandeep, though he is widely known by his alias, Kala Jathedi. - Why is Kala Jathedi famous?
He gained infamy for his daring escape from police custody in 2020, the GTB Hospital shootout, his feud with Sushil Kumar, and his high-profile wedding to Anuradha Choudhary. - Is Kala Jathedi married?
Yes, he married Anuradha Choudhary, alias Madam Minz, on March 12, 2024, in a heavily secured ceremony while on parole. - Where is Kala Jathedi now?
As of March 2025, he is incarcerated in Tihar Jail, Delhi, facing multiple criminal charges. - What crimes has Kala Jathedi committed?
He is linked to over 30 FIRs, including murder, attempt to murder, extortion, and violations under the Arms Act and MCOCA. - Who is Kala Jathedi’s wife?
His wife, Anuradha Choudhary, is a known criminal with a Rs 1 lakh bounty, often called “Lady Don” or “Madam Minz.” - What is Kala Jathedi’s connection to Lawrence Bishnoi?
He is a close aide and operational head of Bishnoi’s syndicate, managing its activities while Bishnoi remains jailed. - How was Kala Jathedi arrested?
He was arrested by Delhi Police’s Special Cell on July 30, 2021, in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, after evading capture since his 2020 escape. - What happened to Kala Jathedi’s mother?
Kamla Devi, his mother, died in July 2024 in Sonipat, reportedly after consuming insecticide accidentally, though the circumstances remain unclear.
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