A 44-year-old woman was shot dead at point-blank range in northwest Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh on Saturday morning, in what police believe is a targeted killing linked to a 2023 murder case in which she was a key witness.
The victim, identified as Rachna Yadav, was the president of the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) of her locality. According to police, she was returning home after meeting a neighbour when two assailants intercepted her. One of them allegedly stopped her, asked her name, and after she identified herself, shot her in the head before fleeing the scene with an accomplice waiting nearby on a sports bike.
Rachna died on the spot. An empty cartridge was recovered from the crime scene. CCTV footage from the area has surfaced, showing the accused and the escape route used after the shooting. Police said a PCR call reporting the incident was received around 10.59 am, following which local teams rushed to the spot and found her lying in a pool of blood.
Investigators suspect the murder is directly connected to the killing of her husband, Vijendra Yadav, who was shot dead in 2023 due to alleged previous enmity. Rachna was the main prosecution witness in that case, which is currently under trial. Five accused have been arrested, while the prime accused, Bharat Yadav, remains absconding and has been declared a proclaimed offender.
Police believe the motive behind the killing was to weaken the ongoing trial and intimidate witnesses. “Prima facie, it appears the case is linked to the earlier murder. Multiple teams have been formed to trace the shooters and identify those who planned the crime,” said Additional Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Bhisham Singh.
Rachna’s elder daughter alleged that the murder was planned by Bharat Yadav, claiming her mother was targeted for standing firm as a witness. Rachna is survived by two daughters. Security has been tightened in the area as investigations continue.
