After 27 years on the run, a murder, attempts to murder and theft accused was arrested by police. He had escaped custody in 1998 and later lived a dual life in Madhya Pradesh as “Dr. Jhatka,” an unregistered medical practitioner and property dealer under a new identity.
Recently, an accused who had allegedly committed murders, attempted murders, and thefts was caught red-handed by the police after a 27 years search. He had previously escaped from police custody. He was a married man with two teenagers, living a dual life as "Dr. Jhatka" an unregistered medical practitioner and a property dealer.
Several cases of murder, attempted murder, and theft were registered against him. The accused was first spotted in 1990 when he came into contact with criminals. In early May 1998, he got into an argument at a wedding in Sayhieri, after which he and some associates opened fire.
Haryana Police personnel Jai Bhagwan, who was related to the bride’s family, died on the spot, while another person was critically injured. He was arrested. However, while being transferred from Ghaziabad Jail to a court in Sonipat, he escaped at Ganjam/Gannaur railway station, leading to another case being registered. He was finally identified after 27 years.
As part of a drive to trace long absconding proclaimed offenders, the Northern Range-1 unit of the Crime Branch reopened the files relating to Bairagi. He had been declared a proclaimed offender in both cases in 2008. The DCP mentioned:
After fleeing custody, he first traveled to Colaba in Maharashtra, where he allegedly worked as a physical education teacher at a Kendriya Vidyalaya for about a year. He later shifted to Mungaoli in Madhya Pradesh’s Ashok Nagar district, adopted the name Rajender Singh Yadav, and built an entirely new identity.
Read more at Medical Dialogues
The accused later married and learned basic medical treatments from his wife, becoming a well known practitioner called "Dr. Jhatka" in his town. Officials noted that the moniker "Dr. Jhatka" was inspired by the famous Motu Patlu cartoon character, a potbellied man with a round face and a balding head.
Read more at The Indian Express
Digital footprints, technical surveillance, and tracking his routine and location revealed that he was living in Mungaoli. A team led by Inspector Sanjay Kaushik then traveled to Mungaoli. The accused was arrested and produced before a local court, which granted transit remand for his production before a Delhi court.
Detailed investigations are underway.
Also Read: Pune Murder: Man Allegedly Killed by Fiancée and Lover; Investigations Continue
Explore our upcoming features, author interviews, and deep-dives into new policy reforms.