Rachna Yadav, a 44-year-old RWA president from Shalimar Bagh. She was shot dead near her home on January 10. She was set to testify in the murder trial of her husband, Bijender Yadav, who was killed in 2023.
AI enhances CCTV footage
According to NDTV, it started with analysing call detail records, movement patterns and interrogation inputs. The police team decided to deploy artificial intelligence to improve the blurred CCTV visuals. AI helped to enhance the footage, which helped authorities obtain clearer images of two men on a motorcycle. One of whom was identified as Nikhil, a 22-year-old resident of Haryana’s Panipat, police said.
Rachna’s murder was linked to a land dispute on Swaroop Nagar-Burari Road. One suspect, Bharat Yadav, had previously been declared a proclaimed offender in the murder of Rachna’s husband, with a reward on his head. The AI-enhanced images provided a breakthrough, allowing police to track movements and gather human intelligence.
The authorities were equipped with clearer visuals and other forensic data. The police conducted coordinated raids across Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar, eventually locating Nikhil and Bharat Yadav. They were hiding in a hut in Katihar, Bihar. The joint operation was conducted with the Central Reserve Police Force and local authorities..
During questioning, Nikhil named a third accomplice, Sumit (23), who allegedly drove the motorcycle during the crime. Police subsequently arrested Sumit in Panipat.
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Tech in policing
Beyond traditional detective work, this case highlights how AI-powered image enhancement can become a force multiplier for law enforcement, especially when conventional footage and eyewitness accounts fall short. Police said the suspects tried to evade detection by frequently changing phone numbers and using encryption, tactics that can stall conventional investigation methods but were ultimately countered with technical tools.
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The arrest of three suspects in Rachna Yadav’s murder was made possible by AI refinement of CCTV recordings. It marks a significant moment in Delhi’s crime-fighting efforts. It reflects how integrating modern technology with human intelligence can unlock critical leads, even in cases where everything seems blurry.
