Police Arrest Three for Murder of 60-Year-Old Man in Rohini's Sector 3

Rohini police have arrested three people, including a 24-year-old primary school teacher, in connection with the murder and robbery of 60-year-old Rakesh Khanna at his residence in Sector 3, Rohini, on Tuesday night.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Khanna’s niece, Simran Taneja (24), gym trainer Chirag (22), and a Class 12 student. Taneja’s boyfriend, identified as Himanshu, is currently absconding.

According to Rohini DCP Shashank Jaiswal, Khanna had recently sold his house and moved into rented accommodation in Sector 3. Taneja, aware that the family was keeping a large amount of cash at the home, orchestrated a plan to carry out a burglary to steal ₹1.5 lakh.

Investigators stated that Himanshu had first carried out a recce of the property three days before the crime, posing as a delivery agent. He returned in the same guise around 3 p.m. on Tuesday. However, Khanna refused to open the door, stating that no order had been placed.

Following the failed delivery ruse, Taneja suggested that her mother and aunt—Khanna’s wife—visit a Janmashtami fair in Paschim Vihar together. After the family left, Taneja returned to the Sector 3 house with Chirag and another accomplice, while Himanshu kept watch outside.

Once inside the house, the group attacked Khanna with a knife, killing him before fleeing with ₹1.5 lakh in cash and two gold rings. Police noted that Taneja called her aunt during the evening to verify whether the family had started their journey back, ensuring the group had enough time to carry out the crime.

The incident came to light around 7:30 p.m. when Khanna’s wife returned home to discover the residence ransacked and her husband lying unconscious. Police transported Khanna to a hospital, where he was declared dead. His body was subsequently sent for a postmortem examination.

Police apprehended the suspects around 2 a.m. as they attempted to flee the city. Investigators revealed that Taneja had also torn her own clothes with a knife to portray herself as an attack victim and mislead officers. Police have recovered ₹75,000 in cash and two gold rings, and further investigation is underway.