33-year-old man arrested for robbery, murder of woman 12 years ago

New Delhi: A 33-year-old man has been arrested from Dwarka today for murdering an elderly woman and looting her apartment 12 years ago.

Acting on a tip-off, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police arrested the accused, who was absconding for 12 years, from near Metro Bridge in Dwarka, Ravindra Yadav, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), said.

He had come back to Delhi two months back and was residing at Sector-16A in Dwarka with a fake identity, the officer said.

In the intervening night of January 25 and 26, 2004, Raju, who was a civil contractor, along with Dharmender, Arun Kumar and Vikas Yadav, had killed Indira Devi (65), who was residing alone at her apartment in Vikaspuri. 

They then looted cash and jewellery from the flat.

Raju was hired by the woman for painting work in the apartment. 

He had deputed Dharmender, Arun Kumar and Vikas Yadav for the job.

Dharmender, Arun, both residents of Bihar, along with a jeweller Vijay, who had purchased the looted jewellery, were arrested. 

Raju and Vikas absconded and were declared proclaimed offenders by a court.

For the last 12 years, Raju was hiding at in Nepal, Punjab and Bihar, the officer said.

Dharmender was sentenced to life imprisonment, while Vijay was awarded two-year imprisonment by the court. Arun was given benefit of doubt and acquitted.