New Delhi: In a major breakthrough, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police has arrested a proclaimed offender who had been evading arrest for nearly 28 years after escaping from police custody. The accused, identified as Rajinder Bairagi alias Rajinder Singh Yadav alias ‘Dr Jhatka’ (53), is wanted in connection with the murder of a Haryana Police personnel, multiple attempt-to-murder cases, and escaping from police custody while handcuffed.
The arrest was made by the Northern Range-1 (NR-1) team of the Crime Branch after a multi-state operation that ended in Mungaoli town of Madhya Pradesh’s Ashok Nagar district.
Arrest after 28 years on the run
According to Delhi Police, the operation was launched as part of a special drive to trace long-absconding proclaimed offenders involved in serious criminal cases.
Investigators initially reopened two attempt-to-murder cases registered at Janakpuri Police Station in Delhi in June 1997. During the investigation, they uncovered Rajinder’s alleged involvement in the murder of a Haryana Police personnel and his dramatic escape from custody in 1999.
Police said the accused had lived under a false identity for nearly three decades, successfully blending into society and obtaining multiple government identity documents.
Murder of Haryana Police personnel
According to investigators, Rajinder and five associates were allegedly involved in a firing incident during a wedding function in Saiyan Khera village of Haryana’s Sonipat district on May 10, 1998.
Following an argument with members of the bride’s family, the accused allegedly opened indiscriminate fire. Haryana Police personnel Jai Bhagwan, who was attending the wedding as the bride’s uncle, was killed in the incident, while another person sustained critical injuries.
A case was registered at Gannaur Police Station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder, attempt to murder and unlawful assembly, along with provisions of the Arms Act.
Escaped from custody while handcuffed
Police said Rajinder was arrested in the murder case but escaped from custody on February 14, 1999, while being escorted by Uttar Pradesh Police personnel from Ghaziabad Jail to a court in Sonipat. Despite being handcuffed, he managed to flee, prompting another criminal case against him.
Lived as ‘Dr Jhatka’ in Madhya Pradesh
After escaping, Rajinder allegedly travelled to Maharashtra before settling permanently in Mungaoli, Madhya Pradesh, where he adopted the identity of Rajender Singh Yadav.
According to police, he worked briefly as a physical education teacher before becoming an unregistered medical practitioner, earning the nickname ‘Dr Jhatka’. He also dealt in property and construction work while operating a small clinic.
Police said he obtained official documents, including an Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID, driving licence and domicile certificate under his assumed identity.
Multi-state operation led to arrest
Delhi Police said investigators used field intelligence, technical surveillance and digital analysis to establish the accused’s true identity and trace his location.
A Crime Branch team led by Inspector Sanjay Kaushik conducted a raid in Mungaoli under the supervision of ACP Suresh Kumar and arrested the accused.
He was produced before a Judicial Magistrate in Madhya Pradesh, following which Delhi Police secured transit remand and brought him to Delhi.
Investigation continues
Police said Rajinder has multiple criminal cases registered against him in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, including offences related to murder, attempt to murder, the Arms Act and theft.
Officials described the arrest as the culmination of a 28-year-long manhunt, adding that sustained investigation and coordination among multiple state police forces helped bring the fugitive to justice.
Further interrogation is underway.