Gurgaon shootout: Rakesh Yadav, alleged target, has a ‘violent reputation’ in his village

In Haryana’s Hayatpur village, some 25 km away from the busy MG Road in Gurgaon where a fierce shootout incident was reported on Wednesday, alleged target of the shootout – Rakesh Yadav Hayatpur – is a household name.

“From petty crimes like stealing coolers, motor pumps, water nozzles to perpetrating land frauds, murders and criminal conspiracies, Rakesh has indulged in all sorts of crimes. Hayatpur, mostly dominated by Pundit community (Hindu Priests), has seen fleeing of locals in the past because of him. They left their disputed ancestral lands behind, and their property was claimed by Rakesh later,’’ a local sums up his tainted history.

Villagers suggest that Rakesh first started grabbing lands in Hayatpur village, and later bought these properties by forging documents. Soon he went on to buy apartments and houses in the posh areas of Gurgaon. Reckoned by titles such as ‘land mafia’ goon, ‘smuggler’, ‘gangster’ – villagers say Rakesh has a ‘violent reputation’ in the area.