Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Delhi Police Arrest 65-Year-Old in 1984 Murder Case
Police have arrested a 65-year-old man named Natthu in connection with a Delhi murder from 1984.
The victim, Ashok Kumar, was found badly injured in a park in Vikaspuri.
Police say another man, Bhabhuti Prashad, was arrested soon after the killing.
They also say a knife linked to the crime was recovered.
Natthu allegedly escaped and could not be found for more than 40 years.
Investigators searched old records and asked people in parts of Uttar Pradesh about him.
They learned that he sometimes visited his village in Hardoi.
Police watched the area and arrested him while he was travelling toward Farrukhabad.
Police allege the killing followed a personal dispute involving Prashad’s wife, but Natthu’s response has not been reported.
Delhi Crime Branch arrested Natthu, alias Natthulal, in Uttar Pradesh after more than four decades on the run.
Ashok Kumar was found with multiple knife injuries at District Park in Vikaspuri on the night of May 22-23, 1984.
Police earlier arrested Bhabhuti Prashad and recovered a knife allegedly connected to the killing.
Investigators allege the murder followed Ashok Kumar’s advances toward Prashad’s wife and involved Natthu and Prashad.
Police traced Natthu through old records, field inquiries and surveillance before arresting him near Pali, Hardoi, on August 18.
- Who
- Delhi Crime Branch arrested Natthu, also known as Natthulal, in connection with Ashok Kumar’s alleged murder; Bhabhuti Prashad had been arrested earlier.
- What
- Natthu was arrested in a 1984 murder case registered at Janakpuri police station under FIR No. 252/1984 and Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.
- When
- The killing occurred on the night of May 22-23, 1984, and Natthu was arrested on August 18. The reports do not consistently establish the arrest year; one account identifies it as 2026.
- Where
- Kumar’s body was found at District Park in Vikaspuri, Delhi. Natthu was arrested near Pali in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, while travelling toward Farrukhabad.
- Why
- Police allege the killing followed Ashok Kumar’s advances toward Bhabhuti Prashad’s wife and involved Natthu and Prashad acting together.
Police Account
Unresolved Accused’s Position
Motive and alleged involvement
Police Account
Police allege that Ashok Kumar’s advances toward Bhabhuti Prashad’s wife caused a dispute, after which Natthu and Prashad allegedly attacked Kumar. Most reports say Natthu and Prashad drank together before the attack.
Unresolved Accused’s Position
Natthu’s account, defense or legal response has not been reported, and the reports do not establish guilt through a court finding.
Details before the killing
Police Account
The reports generally describe Natthu and Prashad as friends who consumed liquor together before the alleged attack.
Unresolved Accused’s Position
One report instead says the accused allegedly consumed liquor with Ashok Kumar, creating a discrepancy in the published accounts.
Evidence and investigation
Police Account
Police say Prashad was arrested earlier, a knife allegedly linked to the crime was recovered, and Natthu was located through old records, field verification and surveillance.
Unresolved Accused’s Position
The reports provide no statement from Natthu and do not report a judicial determination of the evidence against him.
- Accused arrested
- Natthu, also known as Natthulal, aged 65
- Victim
- Ashok Kumar, identified as a resident of Sitapur district, Uttar Pradesh
- Murder date
- Intervening night of May 22-23, 1984
- Crime location
- District Park, Vikaspuri, Delhi
- Earlier arrest
- Police arrested Bhabhuti Prashad and said they recovered a knife allegedly used in the crime
- Arrest location
- Near Natthu’s village in the Pali area of Hardoi, while he was travelling toward Farrukhabad
- Additional case
- Police said Natthu was named in a 2005 kidnapping FIR registered in Farrukhabad
- Current status
- The Delhi Crime Branch is questioning Natthu and conducting further investigation
