Delhi Police's 1,100-Kilometer Pursuit: How CCTV Footage Led to Capture of Rape-Murder Suspect in Gujarat

The discovery of a middle-aged woman's body in Delhi bearing a man's name tattooed on her hand sparked an intense 1,100-kilometre pursuit by police to apprehend the perpetrator.

A woman's body was discovered among bushes near the Adarsh Nagar railway station on November 16. The victim's clothing was torn and her body exhibited numerous severe wounds. Investigators found a sharp weapon alongside a pair of women's slippers and men's footwear in proximity to the corpse.

Following the registration of a murder case, authorities began examining surveillance footage. The 52-year-old woman was captured approaching the railway station, with a young man following the same path shortly thereafter. He was wearing distinctive white and black slippers that matched those later recovered near her remains.

Subsequent footage revealed the same man departing the location without footwear.

CCTV analysis helped authorities identify the suspect as 23-year-old Salman, also known as Bona, who had previous charges including robbery, kidnapping, and minor rape. He was undergoing trial in Gujarat but had failed to appear in court. Investigators noted his name was tattooed on the deceased woman's arm.

The search for Salman began at his slum residence, where he was not located. Meanwhile, the victim's family confirmed her identity, informing police she suffered from mental instability and had been missing for a period of time.

Through persistent surveillance efforts and information provided by informant networks, authorities discovered Salman was concealing himself at a brick manufacturing facility in Gujarat's Bharuch district, approximately 1,100 kilometres from the crime scene.

When questioned by law enforcement, Salman admitted to assaulting, sexually violating, and murdering the woman. Police are continuing their investigation into the case.