Delhi: In a significant breakthrough, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police has arrested a proclaimed offender who had been on the run for nearly ten years.
The accused, identified as Bharat alias Monu (35), a resident of Najafgarh, Delhi, was wanted in two separate cases of robbery and firing registered at Najafgarh and Jaffarpur Kalan police stations.
Dramatic Past: A Decade on the Run
Bharat had initially been arrested in both cases but vanished after being released on bail. Despite repeated summons, he failed to appear before the court, prompting authorities to declare him a proclaimed offender. For nearly ten years, he managed to evade arrest by frequently changing locations and concealing his identity.
To avoid suspicion, he took up a job as a security guard in an industrial unit in Farukh Nagar, Gurgaon, where he lived a low-profile life under the guise of financial hardship.
Background of the Crimes
The first case dates back to February 13, 2012, when a local phone distributor named Mukesh was targeted near his office in Najafgarh. As he was locking up around 10:30 PM, three assailants on a motorcycle intercepted him and robbed him at gunpoint.
When his employees tried to intervene, they were also threatened. A case was registered under FIR No. 51/2012 at PS Najafgarh under Sections 382, 356, and 34 of the IPC.
In a second incident that occurred shortly thereafter, Bharat, along with an accomplice named Anil, got into an altercation with a neighbor named Surrender.
The dispute escalated, and both men opened fire. The incident led to the registration of FIR No. 94/2012 at PS Jaffarpur Kalan under Sections 336 and 506 of the IPC and relevant provisions of the Arms Act.
Crackdown on Long-Pending Cases
With a renewed focus on fugitives evading justice, the Crime Branch has recently intensified efforts to trace and apprehend proclaimed offenders.
The operation to nab Bharat was led by Inspector Ajay Sharma and Inspector Ajay Gahlawat under the supervision of ACP Ashok Sharma, following directives from senior police officials.
A breakthrough came when HC Shabbeer Khan received specific intelligence regarding Bharat’s whereabouts in Farukh Nagar, Gurgaon.
Acting swiftly on the input, a dedicated team comprising SI Hitesh, HC Mandeep, and ASI Pawan conducted a surveillance operation in a densely populated industrial locality on July 3.
Operation and Arrest
Despite the congested area, the team managed to discreetly identify and intercept the suspect near a factory where he worked as a security guard.
Upon being confronted and taken into custody, the accused was brought to the Crime Branch office in Delhi. During sustained interrogation, he admitted to his real identity and the past criminal cases against him.
Verification with police stations at Najafgarh and Jaffarpur Kalan confirmed his long-standing status as an absconder.
He was formally arrested under Section 35(1)(d) of the BNSS 2023, with all legal procedures followed, including the provision of grounds for his arrest in compliance with Supreme Court directives.
Accused’s Background
Bharat Singh was raised in a village near Najafgarh. After completing his schooling up to Class 12, he fell into criminal company.
He initially got involved in petty crimes and gradually moved towards serious offenses, including armed robbery and assault. Following his involvement in the 2012 cases, he managed to stay under the radar by relocating frequently.
Around four years ago, he settled in Gurgaon’s Farukh Nagar area and started working in the industrial belt as a private security guard, successfully hiding his criminal history by portraying himself as a financially struggling individual.
Cases Solved
- FIR No. 51/2012 – Sections 382/356/34 IPC – PS Najafgarh
- FIR No. 94/2012 – Sections 336/506 IPC & 25/27 Arms Act – PS Jaffarpur Kalan
The successful arrest not only resolves two old cases but also serves as a strong message to fugitives attempting to evade justice. Delhi Police Crime Branch reiterated its commitment to ensuring that absconders are brought to justice and trials are not derailed due to prolonged evasion by accused persons.
