Police identify pillion rider involved in Shalimar Bagh RWA president’s murder

On Saturday morning, Rachna Yadav, president of the Residents’ Welfare Association in Shalimar Bagh, was killed by two bike-borne men while she was returning home after attending a neighbour’s funeral procession.

“The incident took place at 10.49 am, when Rachna was washing her hands near a water pot. One of the attackers called her name from behind, and another shot her at point-blank range in the head before they fled,” the officer said.

The murder took place close to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s residence and a police post.

After registering an FIR, police scanned CCTV footage to trace the attackers’ movements.

“They were seen arriving from Budh Vihar and entering Shalimar Bagh around 7.30 am. After the murder, they headed towards Pitampura on their motorbike, reached the Outer Ring Road, and were captured on camera at Madhuban Chowk before turning right toward Rohini,” the officer added.

Police said the two abandoned the bike near Rohini Heliport, boarded a private Gramin Sewa vehicle, and fled to Barwala village after paying the driver Rs 20 each. “The motorbike had been stolen from the Netaji Subhash Place police station area last September,” the officer said.

Rachna’s husband Vijendra Yadav was gunned down on May 22, 2023, while attending a community langar near his office. Police said he was a history-sheeter from Jahangirpuri, who was earlier arrested on the charges of murder and other crimes.

“Five men were arrested for his murder. The prime suspect, Bharat Yadav, who was accused of criminal conspiracy, has been absconding since then. While a reward of Rs 50,000 has been announced on his head, a lookout circular has also been issued against him,” an officer said.

Police are now probing Bharat’s role in connection with Rachna’s murder, the officer added.