Notorious 'Butcher of Delhi' Apprehended After Months on the Run

Chanderkant Jha, a convicted serial killer known as the "Butcher of Delhi," has been arrested after evading capture for several months. Jha, 57, originally sentenced to death for a series of gruesome murders in the mid-2000s, had his conviction commuted to life imprisonment in 2016. In October 2023, he was granted a 90-day parole but chose to disappear instead of returning to jail.

The Delhi Police confirmed that Jha carried a reward of Rs 50,000 for his capture. His arrest was made possible after extensive surveillance and analysis of call records, leading police to New Delhi railway station. Deputy Commissioner of Police Sanjay Sen reported that Jha was attempting to flee to Bihar when apprehended on January 17.

Jha’s criminal history dates back to 1998, and he gained notoriety for his methodical killings and the dismemberment of his victims' bodies, which he often dumped near Tihar Jail. Over the years, he was involved in multiple murders, often targeting young men, including friends and laborers, under trivial pretexts. Authorities described how he meticulously planned his crimes, using a locally made nunchaku and leaving taunting handwritten notes with victims' remains.

The police conducted an extensive investigation, including tracking Jha’s network of family and associates across several states. His capture marks a significant development in a case that has haunted Delhi's law enforcement for years.