New Delhi: A murder case that remained unsolved for 26 years has been cracked by Delhi Police’s crime branch, with the arrest of a 62-year-old man from Shiv Vihar in Seelampur. The accused, Vishwanath Singh alias Vishwantah Chauhan, Munna and Fauji, a resident of Etawah in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested on Oct 30. He had been declared a proclaimed offender in Dec 2001 and was wanted in a murder case registered in 2000 at Khajoori Khas police station.
The original FIR, registered under Sections 279 and 304-A of the IPC, was cancelled and a fresh murder case was registered under Sections 302, 506 and 34. Despite sustained efforts, police could not locate him, and they declared him a proclaimed offender on Dec 5, 2001. He was eventually apprehended in Shiv Vihar on Oct 30, ending his 26-year evasion.
The accused allegedly struck Jai Prakash on the head with a hammer and staged the scene to make it appear like a hit-and-run accident, according to police. Police said Singh suspected Jai Prakash of having an illicit relationship with his wife, allegedly prompting the murder. Police said he frequently changed residences and worked in wholesale khoya trade-related activities in Faridabad, Loni, Etawah and Delhi to evade detection.
Educated up to Class 10, Singh belongs to an established family. His two sons had started a dairy business in Shiv Vihar, which he later joined.
DCP (crime branch) Aditya Gautam said, “The case dates back to Oct 20, 1998, when Jai Prakash (24) was found grievously injured and unconscious in Gokalpuri, now under Khajoori Khas police station. Initially, police registered a case of rash driving and causing death due to negligence, treating it as a possible road accident. However, subsequent investigation revealed strong circumstantial evidence suggesting murder.
He died during treatment without regaining consciousness. Starting from the accused’s native village in Etawah, the investigation team developed a lead about his presence in Delhi and traced his brothers living in the capital. During surveillance, investigators noticed an unidentified man repeatedly meeting them. Verification established that the visitor was Singh.