Man on the Run for 26 Years Arrested in Shiv Vihar Over 1998 Gokalpuri Murder

The Delhi Police has arrested a 62-year-old man from the Shiv Vihar area of northeast Delhi who had been absconding for more than 26 years in connection with a murder case. The accused, identified as Vishwanath Singh alias Munna, was apprehended by police teams on October 30 following a tip-off, an officer said on Sunday.

The case dates back more than two decades to October 20, 1998, when 24-year-old Jai Prakash was found grievously injured and unconscious in the Gokalpuri area. Prakash was taken for medical care but died during treatment without ever regaining consciousness, according to a senior police officer.

At the time of the incident, the case was initially handled as a road accident. An First Information Report under sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to accidental death was registered at the Gokalpuri police station.

A subsequent investigation, however, revealed that the death was a premeditated murder rather than a traffic collision. Investigators found that Singh, who lived as a neighbour to the victim, had allegedly struck Prakash on the head with a hammer. He then staged the scene to make the killing resemble a hit-and-run road accident.

According to the police officer, the alleged motive behind the killing was Singh's suspicion that Prakash was having an illicit relationship with his wife.

Following these findings by investigators, the original accidental death FIR was cancelled. A fresh murder case was subsequently registered against Singh at the Khajoori Khas police station in 2000, after which the accused remained on the run until his arrest.