NEW DELHI — A probe into the death of 60-year-old Rakesh Khanna in South Rohini has exposed a preplanned robbery plotted within his extended family. Delhi Police have arrested three suspects, including the victim’s 23-year-old niece, a primary school teacher who allegedly masterminded the break-in that led to Khanna's death.
The Incident: Fatal Break-In in Sector-3
On the evening of September 1, 2026, the South Rohini Police Station received a PCR call at 8:14 PM reporting a robbery in progress at a residential property in Sector-3. The caller alerted authorities that three men had forced their way inside, ransacked the house, and left her husband lying unconscious on the floor who is a heart patient as well.
Senior police officers, including Rohini Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shashank Jaiswal and the Additional DCP, reached the spot immediately. Khanna was taken to Jaipur Golden Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Crime investigation units and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team were called in to secure the scene and collect forensic evidence.
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Findings Till Yet
Initial findings and surveillance footage revealed that the crime was planned days in advance:
- The Recce: The suspects surveyed the house and mapped its entry points on August 30, 2026, one day prior to the incident.
- The Break-In: At approximately 7:30 PM on September 1, three suspects entered the residence while a fourth associate remained stationed outside as a lookout.
- The Loot: The gang ransacked cupboards, escaping with approximately ₹1.5 lakh in cash and several items of gold jewellery.
The Accused: From Educator to Robbery Plotter
The investigation revealed that the plot was allegedly conceived by Khanna's niece, Simran Taneja (23), a primary school teacher living in Burari. Police established that Taneja enlisted associates connected to a local fitness facility in Burari to execute the robbery:
- Simran Taneja (23): The victim's niece (daughter of Khanna’s brother-in-law) and primary school teacher; identified as the main conspirator (Arrested).
- Chirag (22): A gym trainer at "The Beast Gym" in Baba Colony, Burari (Arrested).
- Paras (19): A Class 12 student and Burari resident with a previous case registered at Mukherjee Nagar Police Station (Arrested).
- Himanshu: The owner of the gym and Taneja's alleged partner, who coordinated the operational execution (Currently absconding).
Recoveries and Evidence Collection
Supervised by Special Commissioner of Police (Law & Order, Zone-1) Devesh Chandra Srivastava and Joint Commissioner of Police (Northern Range) Vijay Singh, multiple police teams conducted raids across Delhi.
Authorities have recovered approximately ₹70,000 of the stolen cash along with seized gold ornaments. Interrogation is ongoing to track the remaining stolen assets and confirm the exact roles played by each suspect during the break-in.
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Legal Proceedings and Investigation Focus
South Rohini Police have registered a case under key provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023:
- Section 103(1): Murder
- Section 309(4): Robbery or dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt
- Section 3(5): Common intention / joint liability
Police operations are underway to arrest the absconding suspect, Himanshu. Investigators and medical examiners are also determining whether Khanna died from physical trauma inflicted during the robbery or suffered a fatal cardiac arrest caused by acute distress during the home invasion.
