28 yrs on, fugitive nabbed for killing Haryana Police official
Had escaped UP Police custody, was wanted in other cases
A dreaded criminal wanted in multiple cases, including the killing of a Haryana Police official during a wedding-related dispute in Sonepat, was arrested after remaining on the run for 28 years, the police said on Thursday.
The accused, identified as Rajinder Bairagi, alias Rajinder Singh Yadav, alias Dr Jhatka (53), had been evading arrest since escaping from Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police custody at the Gannaur railway station in 1999 while being escorted from Ghaziabad Jail.
According to the police, Rajinder changed his identity in Madhya Pradesh as ‘Rajinder Singh Yadav’ and worked as a Kendriya Vidyalaya teacher, property dealer and contractor to stay away from the radar of law enforcement agencies.
The operation was launched as part of a targeted drive by the Northern Range-1 (NR-1), Crime Branch, Delhi Police, to track down long-absconding proclaimed offenders (POs) involved in heinous crimes in Delhi.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Chander Kumar Singh said the team initially focused on two long-pending cases registered at the Janakpuri police station dating back to June 22, 1997.
The cases involved a violent knife attack during a quarrel in Uttam Nagar and another FIR registered against Rajinder for attempt to murder. He was declared a proclaimed offender by the Rohini court in 2008 in both cases.
The DCP said during investigation, the team found Rajinder’s involvement in more serious crimes. He was identified as the prime suspect in the murder of a serving Haryana Police official.
After confirming his identity and whereabouts, a raiding team conducted an operation in Mungaoli in Madhya Pradesh’s Ashok Nagar district and apprehended him. He was produced before the Judicial Magistrate Court in Mungaoli, where transit remand was obtained to produce him before the CJM Court, Dwarka, Delhi, the police said.
During interrogation, Rajinder disclosed that he was a kabaddi player and came in contact with criminal elements while playing the sport.
The police said the accused had a quarrel with the bride’s family members during a wedding function at Saiyan Khera village in Sonepat on the night of May 10, 1998. He, along with five armed accomplices, allegedly opened indiscriminate fire in which Jai Bhagwan, an uncle of the bride and a Haryana Police official, suffered fatal gunshot injuries and died on the spot. Another person was critically injured.
