Delhi Police Capture Notorious Fugitive After 28 Years on the Run

Major Arrest by Delhi Police

New Delhi, Aug 6: In a significant development, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police has apprehended a notorious fugitive who had been evading capture for nearly 28 years after escaping from police custody. The individual, Rajinder Bairagi, also known as Rajinder Singh Yadav or 'Dr Jhatka' (53), was wanted for the murder of a Haryana Police officer, several attempted murders, and a dramatic escape while in handcuffs.

The arrest was executed by the Northern Range-1 (NR-1) team of the Crime Branch following a multi-state operation that concluded in Mungaoli, located in Madhya Pradesh's Ashok Nagar district.

Authorities reported that Rajinder had successfully lived under a false identity for decades, creating a new life while evading law enforcement.

The operation was initiated as part of a special campaign aimed at locating and capturing long-absconding proclaimed offenders involved in serious crimes in Delhi.

Investigators initially concentrated on two cases filed at Janakpuri Police Station in June 1997. These included FIR No. 658/1997, which involved a violent knife attack in Uttam Nagar, and FIR No. 659/1997, related to an attempted murder.

Rajinder had managed to avoid arrest for years in both cases and was declared a proclaimed offender by the Rohini Courts in 2008. However, further investigation revealed a much broader criminal background, including his alleged involvement in the murder of a Haryana Police official and his escape from custody in 1999.

Police officials noted that confirming the accused's true identity was challenging, as he had successfully integrated into society under a new name and had acquired various local identity documents.

Through extensive field intelligence, technical surveillance, and digital footprint analysis, investigators were able to verify his identity, trace his movements, and locate him.

Once his location was confirmed, a team led by Inspector Sanjay Kaushik, along with SI Deepak Kumar, ASI Ramesh Rana, HC Sanjeev Kumar, and HC Sanjeev Jakhar, executed a raid in Mungaoli under the supervision of ACP Suresh Kumar of Northern Range-1.

Rajinder was arrested and subsequently presented before the Judicial Magistrate Court in Mungaoli. After securing a transit remand, he was transported to Delhi and brought before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Dwarka.

During questioning, Rajinder disclosed that he had been a kabaddi player in his youth and gradually became involved with criminal elements. On the night of May 10, 1998, he and five armed associates were implicated in a violent incident at a wedding in Saiyan Khera village, Sonipat district, Haryana.

According to investigators, a dispute arose between Rajinder's group and the bride's family, leading to indiscriminate gunfire. Haryana Police officer Jai Bhagwan, the bride's uncle, was fatally shot, and another individual was critically injured.

Following this incident, a case was registered at Gannaur Police Station under various sections of the IPC and the Arms Act. Rajinder was arrested but escaped custody on February 14, 1999, while being transported by Uttar Pradesh Police from Ghaziabad Jail to a court in Sonipat, despite being handcuffed. A separate case was filed against him for this escape.

After fleeing, Rajinder reportedly moved to Kolaba in Maharashtra, where he worked as a physical education teacher at a Kendriya Vidyalaya for about a year. He later settled permanently in Mungaoli, adopting the identity of Rajender Singh Yadav.

Over the years, he integrated into the local community, marrying Mamta Yadav in 2003, who currently works as an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife at a government hospital in Mungaoli.

Rajinder also worked as an unregistered medical practitioner, earning the nickname 'Dr Jhatka,' while engaging in property dealings and contracting. He managed to obtain official documents, including an Aadhaar card, voter ID, PAN card, driving license, and domicile certificate.

The couple has two children: a 17-year-old son in Class 12 and a 16-year-old daughter in Class 11. Police noted that Rajinder successfully concealed his criminal history and lived a seemingly normal life for nearly three decades.

Investigators revealed that Rajinder has a lengthy criminal record, including the murder case, escape from custody, and multiple attempted murder cases in Delhi and Haryana. His criminal history also includes violations of the Arms Act and theft-related offenses across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Officials characterized the arrest as the culmination of a 28-year pursuit and a significant success for the Crime Branch, emphasizing that even the most elusive fugitives can ultimately be brought to justice through persistent investigative efforts and inter-agency cooperation.

Further interrogation of Rajinder is ongoing.