In this undated photo made available by Delhi Police, Bunty, the notorious bike gang leader who terrorized New Delhi, India, is seen. Bunty's reign came to an end Monday, Aug. 25, 2008, when he died in a pre-dawn shootout with police.

NEW DELHI (AP) _ The skinny would-be kingpin and his fearless bike gang were seemingly everywhere.



When someone was shot or robbed in this city of 16 million, where murder is relatively rare, police pointed to the same suspect: Bunty, the notorious gang leader who terrorized New Delhi from astride a motorcycle.



Bunty's reign ended Monday when he died in a pre-dawn shootout with police. Authorities trumpeted the news as a hard-fought victory over the city's most wanted man, held responsible for stabbings, shootings, robberies and more.



Police classified him as a "BC," for Bad Character, the highest category of criminal — and he was on a first-name basis with the media. One leading newspaper announced his demise simply: "Bunty shot."



"It's almost like he's a quasi-mythical figure," said Santosh Desai, a media critic and Times of India columnist. "It's blurring into lore.