Delhi cop fatally shoots delivery worker amid hours-long manhunt

In the early hours of Sunday, a Delhi Police head constable posted with the Special Cell allegedly opened fire with his Glock in southwest Delhi's Jafarpur Kalan, killing a 21-year-old food delivery worker and injuring his friend. The victims were riding a motorcycle home after a birthday celebration when the incident occurred around 2 am in Rawta village. The two riders had gathered with friends for a birthday event that involved about 20 attendees, with 13 people including two children later moving to the main road to arrange transport.

The officer, Neeraj Balhara, who has lived in the neighbourhood for roughly 15 years, approached the group from across the road and began questioning their presence. Those present say he became abusive and directed insults at them for being from Bihar, then pulled out his service pistol, placed it on the motorcycle’s handle, and fired at close range. Pandav, a 21-year-old resident of Bindapur, was struck in the chest and died on the spot, while his companion Krishan, aged 30, was injured.

Balhara fled the scene, switching off his phone, and remained at large for several hours before police say he was nabbed near Rohtak later Sunday evening and handed over to local authorities. Investigators are looking into the sequence of events and motive, with internal and local investigations opened into the use of force by a police official in this incident. Pandav’s family and friends are left reeling from the tragedy as Delhi grapples with questions about accountability and safety for frontline workers.

The case has drawn attention to tensions in the area surrounding Rawta and Jafarpur Kalan, where community members say interactions with security personnel must be handled with care and restraint. Further details are expected as the investigation progresses.

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