Delhi Police crack 17-year kidnapping and rape case, proclaimed offender held from Bijnor
Synopsis
A man who allegedly kidnapped and raped a minor in Delhi in 2009, then fled to Kuwait to evade arrest for 17 years, has finally been caught. Delhi Crime Branch tracked Irshad Ahmed alias Sonu to his native village in Bijnor, UP, closing one of the city's longest-running proclaimed offender cases.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police arrested proclaimed offender Irshad Ahmed alias Sonu on 16 June 2025 from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh .
The accused was wanted in a kidnapping and rape case (FIR No.
117/2009) registered at Bindapur Police Station on 9 April 2009 .
He had fled to Kuwait in 2011 after obtaining a passport from Chandigarh , and had been living there as a tailor.
A bounty of ₹25,000 had been declared on him after the Dwarka Court declared him a proclaimed offender.
The arrest was made by a Central Range, Crime Branch team led by ACP Satendra Mohan under DCP Harsh Indora .
Delhi Police have solved a 17-year-old kidnapping and rape case by arresting a proclaimed offender from his native village in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, on 16 June 2025. The accused, identified as Irshad Ahmed alias Sonu, had been carrying a bounty of ₹25,000 and had evaded law enforcement since 2009 by fleeing to Kuwait.
Background of the Case
An FIR No. 117/2009 under Sections 363/366/376/506/511/342 IPC was registered at Bindapur Police Station, Delhi, on 9 April 2009. According to police, the accused had worked as a tailor at a boutique owned by the complainant. He allegedly kidnapped the complainant's minor daughter with the intention of marriage and subsequently raped her before absconding.
Following the offence, the Dwarka Court declared him a proclaimed offender. Despite sustained efforts over the years, the accused had managed to stay out of reach — until now.
How the Accused Evaded Arrest for 17 Years
After fleeing Delhi in 2009, the accused reportedly obtained a passport from Chandigarh and left for Kuwait in 2011, where he worked as a tailor and had, according to police, virtually settled. He visited India only occasionally, making his apprehension extremely challenging for investigators.
This is a notable example of an accused exploiting international mobility to evade a declared-offender status for nearly two decades — a challenge that Indian law enforcement faces in an increasing number of cases.
The Manhunt and Arrest
A dedicated team from the Central Range, Crime Branch was constituted under ACP Satendra Mohan and the overall supervision of DCP Crime Branch Harsh Indora. The team comprised Inspector Vinay Kumar, Sub-Inspectors Ritesh, Vikash, and Jai Kumar, along with Head Constables Bijendra Singh and Pankaj.
The team conducted meticulous technical surveillance and manual intelligence gathering over a considerable period. Crucial information regarding the accused's presence in Bijnor and Chandigarh was developed by Sub-Inspector Ritesh. Acting on credible intelligence about the accused's arrival at his native village in Bijnor, the team laid a trap and successfully apprehended him on 16 June 2025.
What Happens Next
The accused has been arrested and is expected to be produced before the concerned court in connection with the 2009 FIR. The case will now proceed through the judicial process, with the Delhi Police having closed what they describe as a 17-year manhunt.
Point of View
Left the country legally, and settled abroad — all while carrying an active court declaration and a bounty. That this case was closed through manual intelligence rather than any passport-flagging or Interpol mechanism points to a systemic gap: India's coordination between courts, passport authorities, and law enforcement on absconding accused remains weak. The conviction rate in such cold cases, once the accused is finally produced in court, is another variable that rarely gets scrutiny.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2009 Delhi kidnapping and rape case?
It refers to FIR No. 117/2009 registered at Bindapur Police Station, Delhi, on 9 April 2009, in which the accused Irshad Ahmed alias Sonu allegedly kidnapped the minor daughter of a boutique owner and raped her. The Dwarka Court subsequently declared him a proclaimed offender after he fled.
How did the accused evade arrest for 17 years?
According to police, the accused fled Delhi after committing the offence in 2009, obtained a passport from Chandigarh, and left for Kuwait in 2011, where he worked as a tailor. He visited India only occasionally, making his tracing extremely difficult.
Where and when was Irshad Ahmed arrested?
He was arrested on 16 June 2025 from his native village in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, after Delhi Crime Branch's Central Range team developed credible intelligence about his presence there.
Who led the team that made the arrest?
The operation was led by ACP Satendra Mohan of the Central Range, Crime Branch, under the overall supervision of DCP Crime Branch Harsh Indora. The field team included Inspector Vinay Kumar, Sub-Inspectors Ritesh, Vikash, and Jai Kumar, and Head Constables Bijendra Singh and Pankaj.
What charges does the accused face?
The accused faces charges under Sections 363, 366, 376, 506, 511, and 342 of the Indian Penal Code, relating to kidnapping, abduction, rape, criminal intimidation, and wrongful confinement, as registered in the 2009 FIR.
