Peeragarhi watchman killing: police apprehend four after planned SUV attack, CCTV reviewed

Delhi Police have apprehended four people over the killing of Bijender Bhardwaj, a 60-year-old watchman in Peeragarhi, Outer Delhi. Investigators say the attack was planned after a verbal spat, with suspects removing the SUV number plate before repeatedly running him over. CCTV footage and sightings near the Delhi–Haryana border are central to the probe.

Delhi Police said four people were apprehended over the killing of 60-year-old watchman Bijender Bhardwaj in Outer Delhi’s Peeragarhi village. Police said the attack followed a verbal spat and appeared planned. Investigators said the suspects removed the SUV’s number plate before the assault. Police said the victim was run over several times and the vehicle fled.

Bhardwaj worked as a watchman at a tempo stand in Peeragarhi village. Police said CCTV footage showed the attack happened around 2.54 am on Sunday. Investigators said Bhardwaj was alone at the spot. Police said the incident began with an SUV parked nearby with headlights on. A man got out and attacked.

Peeragarhi village murder: CCTV shows SUV and repeated run-over

Investigators said a man was seen stepping out with a stick and hitting Bhardwaj. Police said Bhardwaj then tried to run away. The same man got into the SUV, knocked Bhardwaj down, and ran over Bhardwaj three to four times. Police said the SUV then drove away from the tempo stand area.

A senior police officer said the killing followed an earlier argument over minor issues. The officer said the suspects planned the attack and removed the vehicle’s number plate. The officer added that Bhardwaj was first beaten with sticks. The officer said Bhardwaj was then run over repeatedly by the SUV before the suspects escaped.

Peeragarhi village murder: Police teams traced SUV near Delhi-Haryana border

Police said the missing registration plate made it hard to trace the SUV at first. Investigators said the case looked more planned than spontaneous. Police said it did not appear like a typical road rage incident. The last sighting of the SUV was captured near Hiran Kudna on the Delhi-Haryana border, police said.

Police said more than eight teams were formed for the investigation. Officers said they scanned CCTV footage from roads, intersections, and commercial sites near the area. Police said four suspects were apprehended on Monday and are being questioned. Investigators said the footage review helped narrow down the SUV’s route after the killing.

Peeragarhi village murder: Family alleges no provocation and response lapses

Speaking to reporters earlier, Mukesh Bhardwaj, the younger brother of the deceased, alleged that the attackers targeted him with no provocation while he was on duty. He said. He was sitting peacefully on his chair when a man got out of the car and beat him with sticks. Then the SUV reversed and rammed into him from three sides, he said.

"Around 3 am, we received a call from another chowkidar informing us about the incident. He was alone there at that time. There was no major enmity with anyone. Maybe there had been some argument earlier, he had added.\"

Family members also alleged issues in the early police response. They claimed the matter was first treated as a road accident. They said murder charges were added later. Police said a case under Section 1031 murder of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered at Paschim Vihar West Police Station.

With inputs from PTI