Delhi: Day after teacher’s murder, many theories but few tangible leads

On Tuesday morning, police spent most of their day tracking down faculty members who taught there. They made a list of students, and went through Ankit’s call record details.

The victim, Ankit Sagar

A yellow Delhi Police tape cordoned off Pinnacle Study Hub in Jahangirpuri, and three policemen were stationed outside so that locals don’t get too close. A 10-man team from Mahendra Park police station has been trying to crack the murder of Ankit Sagar (31), who was shot in the head by a masked assailant waiting for him at his coaching centre. In terms of hard evidence, all police have so far is footage from a CCTV camera.

On Tuesday morning, police spent most of their day tracking down faculty members who taught there. They made a list of students, and went through Ankit’s call record details.

READ | Teacher shot dead at coaching centre, family claims killed over relationship

The FIR mentions the murder took place between 8 am and 8.20 am. “A constable attended to the call of murder, but could not take Ankit’s body to a hospital as a heavy crowd blocked his way, until the SHO and ATO arrived at the scene,” states the FIR.

Hours after Ankit’s murder, his family had claimed he had been in a relationship with a woman from a minority community for the last 10 years, and objections from her brother may have been behind the murder. However, DCP (north-west) Aslam Khan said: “There are a few theories we have, but no one has been named as an accused.”

Amid claims by neighbours that Ankit and his elder brother Jai Pravesh had an altercation a few months ago, Pravesh said: “There was a fight in our family after Ankit argued with my father. But we sorted the matter peacefully in the family.”

On Tuesday, Ankit’s family was visited by members of a right-wing outfit who offered to help with the case. But his father Amar Singh turned down the offer. “This murder was not because of religion. People are trying to make this into a communal issue when it is not,” Amar said.

(Bhumika Pant is an intern with The Indian Express)

Anand Mohan J

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More