The accused has been identified as twenty-four-year-old Ashrif who previously lived in Jangpura with his family, the officer said. The accused had later shifted to North Delhi’s Wazirabad.Four days after a 69-year-old woman was killed and her house ransacked in Jangpura’s Pant Nagar, the police arrested a man from West Bengal’s Cooch Behar on Tuesday. He is being brought to Delhi, an officer said.The accused has been identified as twenty-four-year-old Ashrif who previously lived in Jangpura with his family, the officer said. The accused had later shifted to North Delhi’s Wazirabad.An officer privy to investigation said that Ashrif was well versed with the topography of the area and was aware that the woman lived alone.“His plan was to leave for Nepal … He even met his mother who suspected that he had committed a crime. She had asked him to go to the police, but he fled,” the officer added. Police said Ashrif had been involved in other cases in the past. He spent three years in jail for a burglary, they said.Vineet Kumar, DCP, South-East did not respond to calls and texts by The Indian Express.Earlier, the police had arrested two people who allegedly purchased the stolen property that the accused sold.The victim identified as Preeti Kumar lived alone in Pant Nagar, where she was found dead on her bed, with her hands tied and face bearing injuries, police said.Story continues below this adAccording to the police, the attack took place between 3 am and 4 am, after the assailant ransacked the house and fled. Preeti was found dead around 8 am by her daughter Vijeta Arora, who had come to check on her.“A case of trespassing, robbery and murder has been registered at Nizamuddin police station,” a senior police officer said.Police said the accused — who wore a face mask, a T-shirt and capri — allegedly waited patiently for Preeti to open the door in the early hours of Friday to leave the house. There were no signs of forced entry, they added.Sakshi Chand is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. With over a decade of experience in investigative journalism, she is a leading voice on crime, the prison system, and institutional governance in the National Capital. Professional Background Specialization: Her reporting focus includes high-stakes crime, national security, prison reforms, and traffic governance. Key Coverage: She has been on the frontlines of major events such as the 2G spectrum case, the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, and communal clashes across Uttar Pradesh (Kasganj, Aligarh). Earlier Career: Before joining The Indian Express, she was a reporter for The Times of India. Personal Interests: Outside of her career in journalism, Sakshi is a National-level basketball player and coach, bringing a unique sporting discipline to her professional life. Major Recent Coverage (Late 2025) Her reporting in the latter half of 2025 has been dominated by a major terror investigation and administrative accountability: 1. The Red Fort Blast Investigation Throughout November and December 2025, Sakshi led the coverage of a car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort: Forensic Breakthroughs: She reported on the use of TATP and ammonium nitrate in the IED and identified the shops where raw materials were sourced (Nov 14-16, 2025). The "i20 Route": She meticulously tracked the journey of the vehicle used in the blast, tracing it to a Pulwama-based resident who entered Delhi via the Badarpur toll plaza (Nov 12, 2025). Victim Support: She recently reported on the Delhi Police providing a list of damaged vehicle owners to the Finance Ministry to expedite insurance claims for those caught in the blast (Dec 4, 2025). 2. Crime & Police Accountability "Crackdown on Extortion Gangs": In December 2025, she reported on a syndicate that was blackmailing traffic cops. Following five arrests, the Special CP directed officers to report all such attempts (Dec 12, 2025). "Corruption in the Ranks": She covered the arrest of five Delhi Police personnel by the Vigilance branch following a wave of public complaints (May 19, 2025). Cold Cases & International Murders: She has extensively tracked the case of a man who allegedly killed his wife in London and fled to India, reporting on his "Proclaimed Offender" status and the denial of his anticipatory bail (May 2025). 3. Governance & Public Policy "13,000 Homes for 90,000 Cops": A data-driven feature on why the majority of Delhi Police personnel are forced to live on rent despite the city's housing projects (May 4, 2025). Traffic Decongestion: Using her interest in urban logistics, she detailed how the Traffic Police eased congestion on Vikas Marg by switching off signals and creating U-turns (April 2, 2025). Signature Style Sakshi Chand is known for a data-driven and investigative approach. She frequently uses forensic reports, CCTV analysis, and administrative data to go beyond the "official version" of a crime story. Her work in prison reporting is particularly noted for highlighting the legal and humanitarian conditions of foreign detention centers and local jails. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:New Delhi