Disha Patani’s father thanks Yogi after gangster encounter
Jagdish Patani said UP govt and police embody CM Yogi Adityanath’s vision of building a safe, fear-free society.
Actor Disha Patani’s father and retired police officer Jagdish Patani has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath after two gangsters, accused of firing outside his residence, were gunned down in a police encounter in Ghaziabad on Wednesday evening.
In a video message, Jagdish Patani described the action as a strong step towards building a safer society. “I thank UP CM Yogi Adityanath on behalf of me and my family. As he had assured me, he found the criminals and took such strict action. I had a telephonic conversation with CM Yogi Adityanath today and thanked him. Under his guidance, the UP government and UP police are fully realising the vision of a fear-free society,” he said.
Patani’s words reflected both relief and respect. A retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (CO), he has spent decades in uniform himself. For him, the swift response was not just a matter of personal safety but a reassurance that law enforcement continues to stand firm against organised crime.
The incident traces back to September 12, when unidentified assailants opened fire outside Disha Patani’s ancestral home in Bareilly. The brazen attack rattled the family and sparked outrage in the area. Investigations quickly pointed towards the involvement of inter-state gangs operating in northern India.
On Wednesday evening, the search reached its dramatic conclusion in Ghaziabad’s Tronica City. Acting on intelligence, a joint team comprising the Delhi Police Special Cell, Haryana Police, and the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) intercepted two men linked to the notorious Rohit Godara and Goldy Brar gangs.
What followed was a fierce exchange of fire. According to officials, more than a dozen rounds were fired between the gangsters and the police. The encounter left four policemen injured while both gangsters sustained critical injuries. They were identified as Ravinder of Rohtak and Arun of Sonepat—names already familiar to law enforcement agencies in Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh for their links to organised crime and extortion networks. Despite efforts to save them, both men succumbed to their injuries during treatment, police confirmed.
For many residents of the region, the encounter carried a strong message. Encounters in Uttar Pradesh have long sparked debate, with critics questioning the legality of such operations. Yet, for families like the Patanis, the action represents accountability and a return of confidence. Jagdish Patani’s public acknowledgment of CM Yogi Adityanath’s leadership highlighted this sentiment.
“The UP government and police are not just reacting, they are acting with determination,” he said. “The criminals thought they could intimidate, but the state has shown that no one is above the law.”
Local residents in Bareilly, too, expressed relief. Neighbours of the Patani family said the September 12 firing had left the area on edge. “It was shocking that such men dared to open fire outside the house of a former officer. If they can target him, what about common people?” one resident said. “This encounter has given us a sense of justice.”
The episode also underscores the growing menace of gangs with cross-border linkages. The Rohit Godara and Goldy Brar syndicates, both with ties to Canada-based organised crime networks, have been active in extortion, arms trafficking, and targeted killings across Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi NCR. Their involvement in the firing outside the Patani residence brought home the reach of these gangs, raising concerns about the safety of even high-profile and well-connected families.
For the Patanis, however, the immediate fear has eased. Disha Patani, who has made a mark in Bollywood with her work in films and endorsements, has not yet commented publicly on the incident, but sources close to the family say she has been in constant touch with her parents.
As the dust settles on Wednesday’s encounter, questions about crime, governance, and justice remain. But for Jagdish Patani and his family, the moment is one of gratitude. His message of thanks to Yogi Adityanath is both personal and symbolic: a reassurance that the state machinery, when committed, can deliver swift justice.