In a major breakthrough, the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police has apprehended a notorious fugitive who had been evading law enforcement agencies for 29 years. The accused, who was wanted in connection with eight serious criminal cases including murder and attempt to murder, managed to completely transform his identity to escape justice. The individual, sought by police forces in Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh for nearly three decades, had relocated to a small town in Madhya Pradesh where he operated a medical clinic under the moniker 'Dr. Jhatka' and treated thousands of unsuspecting patients. The 53-year-old suspect, identified as Rajinder Bairagi alias Rajinder Yadav, has been brought to Delhi for further investigation and legal proceedings.
The 1998 Police Murder and Subsequent Escape from Custody
The origins of the case date back to 1998, when Rajinder Yadav fatally shot Jai Bhagwan, a personnel of the Haryana Police, during a wedding ceremony in Sonipat, Haryana. Beyond this high-profile murder, he was implicated in multiple offenses across Uttar Pradesh and Delhi involving attempt to murder, theft, and violations under the Arms Act. In 1999, while being escorted under handcuffs by Uttar Pradesh Police personnel from Ghaziabad jail to a court hearing in Haryana, he gave escorting officers the slip and escaped from custody. Despite extensive raids across multiple states at potential hideouts, law enforcement authorities failed to locate him, leading the judiciary to formally declare him a proclaimed offender.
Transition from School Teacher in Maharashtra to Fake Doctor in Madhya Pradesh
Following his escape from custody, Rajinder Bairagi systematically erased his past identity. He adopted a new name, relocated to unfamiliar cities, changed his profession, and built a brand-new persona to avoid detection. Initially, he moved to Maharashtra, where he secured employment as a physical education teacher at a local Kendriya Vidyalaya. After spending time in Maharashtra, he shifted to Mungaoli, a small town situated in the Ashoknagar district of Madhya Pradesh. Assuming the alias Rajendra Singh Yadav, he initiated an unregistered medical practice without possessing any valid medical degree or certification. Local residents eventually dubbed him 'Dr. Jhatka' due to his unique treatment methods. Simultaneously, he expanded his activities into local property dealing and civil contracting work.
Marriage to Healthcare Worker and Creation of Fake Identities
After settling in Mungaoli, the accused married an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) employed at a local government hospital in 2003. The couple established a comfortable domestic life in the town and subsequently had two children, currently a 17-year-old son and a 16-year-old daughter. To shield himself from law enforcement scrutiny and project the image of a law-abiding citizen, the fugitive constructed a comprehensive web of forged documentation. Utilizing his fabricated name and details, he successfully obtained official government identity credentials, including an Aadhaar card, PAN card, Voter ID card, Driving License, and Domicile Certificate.
Multi-State Crime Branch Raid and Final Arrest
Unbeknownst to the fugitive, the Delhi Police Crime Branch maintained an ongoing multi-state operation spanning nearly three decades to track down the offender. Upon receiving a confidential tip regarding his whereabouts in Mungaoli, Madhya Pradesh, a police team conducted a swift raid on his residence, successfully taking him into custody. Officials confirmed that the accused faces a total of eight criminal cases registered across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, covering charges of murder, attempt to murder, theft, Arms Act violations, and escaping from lawful police custody. The 53-year-old suspect has been transferred to Delhi as investigative proceedings continue.
