New Delhi: Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has arrested a fugitive murder accused from Ashok Nagar in Madhya Pradesh after nearly 27 years on the run. According to police, the accused had been living under a false identity since escaping from police custody in 1999 and was operating a clinic under the name “Dr Jhatka” despite allegedly having no valid medical registration. Investigators said he had also established himself as a property dealer and contractor during his years in hiding. Police stated that the accused was traced through a combination of technical surveillance and human intelligence.
The arrested accused has been identified as 53-year-old Rajinder Bairagi alias Rajinder Singh Yadav, popularly known locally as “Dr Jhatka.” Police said he was wanted in connection with the 1998 murder of a Haryana police official in Sonipat and had escaped from police custody the following year. He was arrested from Ashok Nagar on Tuesday and brought to Delhi on Wednesday.
According to investigators, the case dates back to May 10, 1998, when a shooting took place during a wedding ceremony in Saiyan Khera village of Haryana’s Sonipat district. Police alleged that after an argument with members of the bride’s family, Rajinder returned with five armed associates and opened indiscriminate fire. The incident resulted in the death of Jai Bhagwan, the bride’s uncle and a Haryana Police official, while another person sustained injuries. Rajinder was subsequently arrested in the case.
Police said that on February 14, 1999, while being escorted by Uttar Pradesh Police from Ghaziabad Jail to a court in Sonipat, the accused managed to escape from custody despite being handcuffed. Following his escape, he allegedly remained underground for nearly three decades, frequently changing locations and concealing his identity.
Investigators found that after fleeing, Rajinder initially surfaced in Colaba, Maharashtra, where he reportedly worked for about a year as a physical education teacher at a school. He later shifted to Ashok Nagar in Madhya Pradesh, assumed the identity of Rajender Singh Yadav and rebuilt his life. In 2003, he married a woman who is currently employed as an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) at a government hospital in Mungaoli. The couple has two children.
According to police, Rajinder started operating a clinic in Ashok Nagar without any valid medical registration, earning the nickname “Dr Jhatka” among local residents. Besides running the clinic, he was also involved in property dealing and civil contracting. During preliminary interrogation, the accused allegedly told investigators that he had once been a kabaddi player and gradually came into contact with criminal elements through the sport before becoming involved in crime.
Delhi Police said the search for the fugitive intensified after the murder trial was reopened. Investigators verified his identity, monitored his movements and daily routine, and used technical analysis along with intelligence inputs to pinpoint his exact location. A raid was subsequently conducted in Madhya Pradesh, leading to his arrest.
Police are now investigating the extent of the accused’s activities during his years in hiding, including how long he allegedly operated the clinic without legal authorisation and whether he was involved in any additional criminal offences. Authorities are also examining the documents used to establish his false identity and reviewing his financial transactions and business activities. Officials said further legal proceedings are underway, and the accused will face trial in connection with both the original murder case and his escape from police custody.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
