Patna, Aug. 18: Seven persons were arrested today in connection with the attack on businessman Vijay Kumar Tandon. A source said all the arrested men were members of the notorious gang of Baiju Kahar and Netaji, for whom extortion is a family business.

A police team led by city superintendent of police (central) Shivdeep Lande started investigations soon after four criminals shot at Vijay Kumar Tandon, the owner of a garment store named Today’s Fashion on Ashok Rajpath. The bike-borne assailants had attacked Tandon around 10.30 last night, while he was on his way home after closing his shop.

The gang of Baiju and Netaji used to rule the roost in the Pirbhore area, especially near Patna Medical College and Hospital, where they spread terror through murder and extortion around six years ago. Now, their brothers have taken up the mantle of the family business.

The arrested persons include Manoj Kahar, Soni Kahar, Mohammed Alauddin alias Bhikua, Nikki, Subodh, Anil and Jimmy. While Manoj and Soni are brothers of Baiju, Subodh and Anil are brothers of Netaji. Sources said they are the kingpin of the gang. Six criminals were arrested last night, while Jimmy was nabbed this morning.

Lande told The Telegraph: “Extortion is their main business. All ambulances — government-owned or private — that used to come to PMCH were required to shell out Rs 500 to them. They also used to collect money from sheds of two-wheelers and four-wheelers and shops on Govind Mitra Road. Jimmy was one of the shooters of the gang. Their arrest is a big breakthrough. They are being interrogated at present.”

Lande said: “The arrested persons have confessed to their involvement in the crime. A few years ago, two gangsters named Baiju Kahar and Netaji ruled the roost in the area. They were involved in a number of crimes, including extortion, murders and attempted murders. The duo were arrested in 2005. They are still in jail. Manoj, Soni, Subodh and Anil operated the gang at present. Their business is the same as ever. They are considered the terror of the Pirbhore area, particularly around PMCH and Govind Mitra Road.”

Tandon was supposed to appear as witness in a case against Baiju four days later.

“The gang members had threatened Tandon a couple of days back and asked him not to appear before the court. Tandon refused to bow to the threat but did not inform the police about the threat either. The attack on him is an outcome of the threat,” the officer said.

Seriously injured, Tandon was rushed to Arvind Hospital. His condition is still critical, the police said.

“Two bullets have hit him — one in shoulder and the other on head. He is in a critical state but stable,” an officer of Pirbhore police station, said.