Rajinder Bairagi, wanted for multiple murder attempts and the 1998 killing of a Haryana police constable, evaded capture for 27 years. Delhi Police finally tracked him down in a small Madhya Pradesh town where he lived under the alias ‘Dr Jhatka’.

Key Takeaways

  • Rajinder Bairagi evaded arrest for 27 years
  • Operated under the cartoon alias ‘Dr Jhatka’
  • Delhi Police arrested him in Mungaoli, Madhya Pradesh

Background of the Fugitive

Rajinder Bairagi, accused of several attempted murders and the 1998 homicide of a Haryana police constable, existed only in police records for over 27 years. On May 10, 1998, a wedding in Saiyan Khera, Sonipat turned violent when Bairagi and five armed accomplices opened fire, killing constable Jai Bhagwan.

In February 1999, while being escorted from Ghaziabad jail to a Sonipat court, Bairagi escaped at Gannaur railway station despite being handcuffed. Subsequent multi‑state searches failed to locate him.

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Transformation into ‘Dr Jhatka’

During a 2026 review of two decades‑old attempted murder cases, Delhi’s Crime Branch reopened Bairagi’s files. Investigators discovered that he had reinvented himself in Mungaoli, Ashok Nagar district, as “Rajender Singh Yadav”. He married a government hospital auxiliary nurse, obtained Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, and a driving licence, and began treating locals as a self‑styled medical practitioner.

The nickname “Dr Jhatka” emerged because villagers thought he resembled the pot‑bellied, balding character from the popular animated series *Motu Patlu*.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this case underscores critical gaps in inter‑state criminal data sharing and the necessity for advanced digital surveillance to track proclaimed offenders across India.

“The misuse of a social persona to hide a fugitive presents a new challenge that law enforcement must meet with sophisticated technological tools.” – Prof. Anjali Mehra, Criminal Justice Expert
Did You Know?: The character “Dr Jhatka” first appeared in the *Motu Patlu* series in 2015, which helped the nickname gain instant recognition among locals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What investigative techniques led to Bairagi’s capture?

A: Police combined digital footprint analysis, mobile location data, and extensive local interviews to confirm his identity.

Q2: Is Bairagi still involved in criminal activities?

A: Ongoing investigations suggest he may have continued practicing medicine informally, but authorities are probing any remaining illicit conduct.