Jyoti Baba Gang member Rakesh arrested in Delhi, pistol seized
Synopsis
A wanted Jyoti Baba Gang operative who allegedly jumped bail after being linked to a murder inside Tihar Jail has been arrested by Delhi's Crime Branch — with a loaded pistol in his possession. The arrest is part of a wider crackdown on organised crime networks operating across the capital.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested Rakesh alias Tinku , a member of the Jyoti Baba Gang , on 7 May 2026 .
Rakesh was wanted in a murder case at Hari Nagar Police Station and had allegedly jumped interim bail , leading to an NBW being issued against him.
A Bretta semi-automatic pistol and two live cartridges were recovered from his possession; a fresh Arms Act FIR was registered on 6 May 2026 .
Rakesh, 32 , from Najafgarh, Delhi , was first jailed in Tihar Jail in 2018 and has multiple cases across Delhi police stations.
He and associate Sachin alias Chhikara are accused of murdering Ram Niwas inside Tihar Jail .
The arrest was led by Inspector Pankaj Thakran under the supervision of ACP Ashok Sharma of Northern Range-I.
Delhi Police Crime Branch on Thursday, 7 May 2026, arrested Rakesh alias Tinku, an active member of the notorious Jyoti Baba Gang, who was wanted in a murder case registered at Hari Nagar Police Station. The accused had allegedly jumped interim bail, prompting a court to issue a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him. During the arrest, officers recovered a Bretta semi-automatic pistol and two live cartridges from his possession.
Background and Intelligence Operation
The arrest followed a targeted intelligence operation by the Northern Range-I unit of the Crime Branch. On 5 May 2026, specific intelligence regarding Rakesh's movements was received by Head Constable Janak Gill, Constable Sandeep, and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Anil, all posted at Northern Range-I. Acting on this input, a trap was laid under the leadership of Inspector Pankaj Thakran and the supervision of ACP Ashok Sharma.
According to police, when the team moved in to make the arrest, Rakesh attempted to evade capture but was eventually overpowered by the officers. The recovery of the firearm led to a fresh FIR dated 6 May 2026 under Section 25 of the Arms Act being registered against him.
The Murder Case and Criminal Background
Rakesh, 32, a resident of Najafgarh, Delhi, is accused in an FIR registered under Sections 147, 148, 149, 302, 323, 506, and 34 of the IPC at Hari Nagar Police Station. According to investigators, Rakesh and his associates — including Sachin alias Chhikara — were allegedly involved in the murder of Ram Niwas inside Tihar Jail, reportedly stemming from a previous enmity and rivalry.
Police said Rakesh studied up to Class 12 but reportedly fell into bad company during his teenage years. He was first lodged in Tihar Jail in 2018 and subsequently became a habitual offender, later joining the Jyoti Baba Gang. He allegedly became involved in violent and organised criminal activities, including murder, assault, and illegal possession of arms.
Extensive Criminal Record
The accused carries an extensive criminal record, with multiple cases registered against him across several police stations in Delhi. Charges include assault, robbery, attempted murder, rioting, illegal arms possession, and obstruction of public servants, according to police.
Broader Crackdown on Organised Crime
The arrest is part of an ongoing drive by Delhi Police to curb organised crime and apprehend absconding offenders. Officials said a special campaign has been launched combining technical surveillance and manual intelligence networks to track down hardened criminals involved in heinous offences. With Rakesh now in custody, investigators are expected to pursue leads connecting him to wider gang operations across the capital.
Point of View
As the Tihar Jail murder allegation illustrates. The recovery of a loaded firearm from a bail-jumper wanted in a murder case raises pointed questions about how effectively interim bail conditions are monitored for organised crime suspects. With multiple FIRs across Delhi and a gang affiliation that predates his first Tihar stint, Rakesh fits a well-documented pattern — incarceration radicalising rather than deterring — that the criminal justice system has yet to structurally address.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rakesh alias Tinku and why was he arrested?
Rakesh alias Tinku, 32, is a resident of Najafgarh, Delhi, and an alleged member of the Jyoti Baba Gang. He was arrested on 7 May 2026 by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for jumping interim bail in a murder case registered at Hari Nagar Police Station, against whom a non-bailable warrant had been issued.
What weapons were recovered from Rakesh?
Police recovered a Bretta semi-automatic pistol and two live cartridges from Rakesh at the time of his arrest. A fresh FIR under Section 25 of the Arms Act was registered against him on 6 May 2026.
What is the Jyoti Baba Gang?
The Jyoti Baba Gang is described by Delhi Police as a notorious organised crime group involved in violent criminal activities including murder, assault, and illegal arms possession, operating across multiple areas of Delhi.
What murder case is Rakesh accused in?
Rakesh and his associate Sachin alias Chhikara are accused of murdering Ram Niwas inside Tihar Jail, reportedly due to previous enmity and rivalry. The case is registered under IPC Sections 147, 148, 149, 302, 323, 506, and 34 at Hari Nagar Police Station.
Who led the operation to arrest Rakesh?
The arrest operation was led by Inspector Pankaj Thakran and supervised by ACP Ashok Sharma of the Northern Range-I unit of the Delhi Police Crime Branch, with field personnel including ASI Anil, Head Constable Janak Gill, and Constable Sandeep.
