A notorious gangster, Salman Tyagi, was found dead in his cell at Mandoli Jail in Delhi on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Jail officials suspect that Tyagi committed suicide. Tyagi was discovered hanging in Jail Number 15 during a routine inspection. According to prison authorities, he used a bedsheet to hang himself. He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.
Tyagi had a long history of criminal activity and was facing several criminal cases, including charges of murder and extortion. He had been convicted under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). According to one report, there were 25 heinous cases registered against him.
Police and jail officials have launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death. "A probe has been initiated. We are trying to ascertain how the incident occurred and what led him to take this step," a senior police officer stated. The circumstances surrounding his death are being closely examined, and a detailed report is awaited. An enquiry by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has also been ordered in accordance with the Delhi Prisons Act, as is standard procedure in cases of unnatural inmate deaths or those occurring under suspicious circumstances. A post-mortem examination has been ordered to determine the precise cause of death.
Tyagi was known for shifting alliances within the Delhi-NCR underworld. Sources indicate he initially worked with the Neeraj Bawana gang but later sought to establish his own identity. In recent years, he was believed to have aligned himself with the Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate. Even while incarcerated, Tyagi allegedly continued his illegal activities. Last year, he allegedly ordered an attack on two businessmen in Delhi to pressure them into paying ₹50 lakh in extortion money. Investigators believe the incident was intended to demonstrate his ability to commit high-profile crimes even while in custody and to gain Bishnoi's confidence.
Beyond his criminal activities, Tyagi cultivated a social media presence, reportedly fascinated by Bollywood and drawing inspiration from actor Salman Khan. He adopted Khan's look from the 2003 film 'Tere Naam,' growing his hair long and posting pictures in similar poses across multiple accounts on YouTube and Instagram.
Adding another layer of complexity to the case, it has been reported that Tyagi had recently been acquitted by Delhi's Tis Hazari Court in a case involving the assault of a Tihar Jail official. The court cited gaps in the prosecution's case, including contradictory witness testimonies and a lack of credible evidence. Following the acquittal, Tyagi's lawyer welcomed the court's decision, stating that the case was built on contradictions and lacked credible evidence. Tyagi's family has alleged foul play in his death and are demanding a thorough and impartial probe into the circumstances.
