New Delhi, July 30 — The NDR Unit of the Delhi Crime Branch has arrested an absconding accused wanted in a rape case registered at Dwarka North Police Station. The accused, identified as Mudit Chawla, had allegedly been evading arrest since 2024 by frequently changing his hideouts and using a different identity.

According to the Crime Branch, the accused was wanted in connection with a case in which he allegedly raped a woman at gunpoint, recorded obscene photographs and videos of her, and later used them to blackmail and sexually exploit her repeatedly. He had also allegedly changed his name from Mudit Chawla to Rajvir Chawla while on the run.

Police said the accused was arrested on July 29 following a targeted operation conducted by the NDR/Crime Branch team. He had been declared an absconder by a court on January 29, 2025, after repeatedly evading arrest.

According to the complainant, her husband was lodged in Tihar Jail between October 2020 and August 2023 in connection with a murder case, during which he became acquainted with Mudit Chawla. After his release, Chawla allegedly came into contact with the complainant through her husband and gained her trust by asking her to treat him as a younger brother.

The complainant said that in July 2023, Chawla called her to his residence in Dwarka. She visited the location with her three-year-old son after informing her husband. She alleged that the accused threatened her son with a firearm, administered an injection to render her unconscious, raped her, and recorded obscene photographs and videos.

The complainant further added that the accused repeatedly threatened to circulate the videos on social media and continued to sexually exploit her on multiple occasions. He also allegedly forced her to perform obscene acts during video calls.

Unable to endure the alleged threats and exploitation, the woman informed her husband and later approached the police. Based on her complaint, FIR No. 432/2024 under Sections 376 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code was registered at Dwarka North Police Station on September 19, 2024.

Despite repeated efforts by local police, the accused allegedly continued to evade arrest by shifting locations across different cities.

To trace him, the Crime Branch constituted a dedicated team comprising SI Dipender Singh, Head Constables Rajbir, Ram Niwas, Parmanand, Kuldeep and Anchal, along with Woman Constable Gyanwati. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Inspectors Yogesh Kumar and Vinod Yadav, with overall supervision by ACP Umesh Barthwal.

The team developed technical surveillance and gathered local intelligence regarding the accused’s movements. During the operation, a reliable informer provided information that the accused was hiding in the Nangloi area of Delhi.

Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the team laid a trap and successfully apprehended him. During interrogation, the accused initially attempted to conceal his identity. However, after sustained questioning, he disclosed his identity as Mudit Chawla and allegedly admitted his involvement in the case. He was subsequently arrested under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Police said Chawla, a resident of Nangloi, Delhi, was born in Karol Bagh and completed his graduation in Delhi before obtaining an MBA from Pune in 2007. He reportedly worked at the Airtel head office in Okhla and later with Dell in Mohali before starting a copper wire business in Karol Bagh.

According to investigators, he later developed an addiction to cricket betting and allegedly suffered losses of around Rs 1 crore. To recover the losses, he began cheating jewellers through forged cheques and gradually became involved in multiple criminal cases.

Police records indicate that seven criminal cases have been registered against him, including several cheating cases in Delhi and Maharashtra. He has also been declared a proclaimed offender in a cheating case registered at Sita Bardi Police Station in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

Further investigation is underway.

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