BJP Leader Nilesh Rajak's Killers Captured After Dramatic Police Encounter in Madhya Pradesh

Khan and Joseph opened fire on Rajak as he rode his motorcycle in a marketplace.

Bhopal:

Two men accused of murdering BJP leader Nilesh Rajak in Katni district of Madhya Pradesh were apprehended by police on Wednesday following a tense confrontation.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Santosh Deharia reported that the operation near Kajrwara in Katni culminated in a high-speed pursuit where law enforcement officers encircled the suspects, Akram Khan and Prince Joseph.

"Both criminals fired upon police during the arrest attempt. Officers returned fire, resulting in an exchange of four rounds. The suspects sustained serious injuries and have been transferred to Jabalpur for medical treatment," explained ASP Deharia.

The arrests of Khan and Joseph conclude an intensive search operation launched after Nilesh Rajak was fatally shot in Kaimor on Tuesday.

Rajak served as Katni district's BJP Pichda Morcha Mandal president. CCTV footage captured the assault, showing masked assailants Khan and Joseph firing at Rajak while he traveled on his motorcycle through a marketplace.

Rajak sustained fatal gunshot wounds to his head and chest, dying immediately at the scene as terrified onlookers watched helplessly.

The brazen daytime assassination triggered significant public outrage throughout Katni. Citizens protested in the streets demanding immediate action, alleging police negligence and possible collusion. The unrest became so severe that senior police and administrative officials were required to remain in the area overnight to maintain order.

The case took a tragic turn when Nelson Joseph, father of accused Prince, took his own life shortly after his son was named in the police report.

According to police and community sources, Rajak's murder originated from a dispute regarding harassment allegations involving a schoolgirl.

BJP MLA and former minister Sanjay Pathak claimed that Rajak was killed because he intervened in what Pathak described as a case of 'love jihad' (a term used by certain right-wing organizations to allege attempted religious conversion of Hindu females by Muslim males).

Pathak stated that a schoolgirl had reported being harassed by a man.

"A girl complained about harassment on her school route. When Neelu intervened, the man threatened him with bombing. The situation escalated, and when Neelu approached the police station, action was taken against him rather than the alleged harasser. The man told Neelu, 'I will shoot you in the middle of the road.' He fulfilled this threat approximately six weeks later," Pathak elaborated.

"I have discussed the matter with the chief minister and state BJP president; both have promised the most stringent action possible. Rajak was opposing what he considered to be love jihad. He leaves behind a five-year-old daughter, an eleven-year-old son, and an elderly mother. The family is devastated, as is our entire community," the former minister added.

As demands intensified for police action, specialized teams located the accused in the Kajrwara area early Wednesday. When surrounded, Khan and Joseph initiated gunfire, compelling police to respond. The confrontation concluded with both suspects wounded and captured.

Additional police personnel remain stationed in Kaimor and Vijayraghavgarh, where demonstrations had erupted following the murder. Authorities have urged calm and cautioned against spreading communally divisive rumors.