Delhi Police Cracks High-Profile Murder Case After Extensive Chase
Delhi Police has successfully solved the shocking murder of Rachna Yadav, a 52-year-old Residents Welfare Association president. Officers apprehended the primary suspect, Bharat Yadav, and another individual named Nikhil following an intense chase spanning 1,000 kilometers across six different states.
Murder Outside Home in Shalimar Bagh
Rachna Yadav faced a brutal attack right outside her residence in Shalimar Bagh. She was returning home after attending a neighbor's last rites when two shooters ambushed her. The assailants fired at point-blank range, killing her instantly on the spot.
Police sources reveal that Bharat Yadav allegedly masterminded this killing. His motive appears clear. Rachna Yadav was scheduled to give a court deposition that could have sealed his fate and that of other accused individuals. Notably, Bharat Yadav also remains a suspect in the 2023 murder of Rachna's husband, Bijender Yadav.
Complex Investigation Involved Multiple Teams
The breakthrough came after twelve grueling days of investigation. More than two hundred police officers worked on this case in various capacities. Special Commissioner of Police Ravindra Yadav formed seventeen dedicated teams under Additional Commissioner Bhisham Singh.
These teams conducted coordinated raids across five states: Delhi, Bihar, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Their relentless pursuit ultimately led to the arrests. Police Commissioner Satish Golcha received a detailed briefing about these developments.
Shooters Used Zangi App for Coordination
Investigators uncovered that the shooters used the Zangi mobile application to communicate with Bharat Yadav during the crime. Nikhil was riding pillion on the motorcycle used in the murder. After the shooting, both assailants fled separately through Rohini to avoid detection.
Police found their abandoned motorcycle, which turned out to be stolen property. This discovery provided the first solid lead in the case. Authorities have detained five to six suspects so far, including two men who allegedly sheltered the shooters. At least four of these individuals face likely arrest once their roles get verified.
Advanced Technology Aided the Investigation
Delhi Police employed sophisticated artificial intelligence tools to enhance this investigation. CCTV cameras had captured the shooters from multiple angles. AI technology helped investigators improvise facial images of the suspects from these footage recordings.
Officers also meticulously scrutinized jail visitor records. They aimed to identify individuals who met with those accused in Bijender Yadav's murder. Over one hundred people faced questioning in recent days, including several property dealers.
Background Reveals Troubling Pattern
Bijender Yadav, Rachna's husband, worked as a property dealer with a criminal history. He faced at least nine criminal cases involving murders and illegal arms possession. His own murder occurred in May 2023 outside a bakery in Bhalswa village, executed in a strikingly similar fashion.
Following Bijender's killing, police arrested some accused individuals. However, Bharat Yadav managed to evade capture until now. The family had reported receiving threats since Bijender's murder, including gunfire incidents in Bhalswa meant to intimidate them.
Witness Protection Concerns Surface
This tragic incident raises serious questions about witness protection mechanisms in Delhi. Rachna Yadav's daughter stated that unidentified men followed and threatened her mother while traveling to court. Consequently, Rachna began attending hearings about her husband's murder via video conference.
Despite these evident threats, authorities did not provide Rachna with security protection. Police reportedly did not press further after she expressed unwillingness to accept security measures. The family's vulnerability highlights systemic challenges in protecting witnesses during high-stakes legal proceedings.
Special Commissioner Ravindra Yadav maintained caution when discussing the case. He declined to comment specifically about arrests, citing the ongoing investigation. However, he confirmed that police have definite leads and are close to solving this complex case completely.
Late Monday, police conducted additional raids in Bihar and Panipat as the investigation continues. The shooters had waited over three hours before attacking, and at least one spoke with a Haryanvi dialect. In Panipat, authorities detained a property dealer named Khatri and his brother from a suspected hideout.
