Missing West Delhi Hotel Operator Found Murdered in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli; Police Launch Manhunt for Prime Suspects

In a tragic turn of events, a hotel operator from West Delhi who had been reported missing for several weeks was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district. The deceased has been identified as Sagar Chauhan, a resident of Tilak Nagar, West Delhi. The chilling revelation was made public by Delhi Police on Wednesday after confirming the identity of an unidentified body discovered by the Uttar Pradesh Police.

According to senior police officials, Sagar Chauhan had been missing since last month, with his last known location being his workplace—a hotel in Tilak Nagar, which he was operating on lease. Concerned over his unexplained absence and failure to return home, Chauhan’s family promptly lodged a missing person’s report at the Tilak Nagar Police Station.

As days passed without any contact from Chauhan, the family began suspecting foul play. Their suspicions were particularly directed toward certain individuals known to them and Sagar personally. Acting on these concerns, the police upgraded the case from a missing persons report to one of abduction, citing potential threats to the victim’s life.

The District Commissioner of Police (DCP), West Delhi, Vichitra Veer, confirmed that numerous individuals were detained and questioned during the investigation. Although several persons of interest were rounded up based on initial leads, the main accused remain at large. In a significant legal step, non-bailable warrants have been issued against the key suspects to prevent their escape and facilitate their immediate arrest.

To intensify the search, multiple police teams have been constituted. These units are employing both technical surveillance techniques—such as call detail record analysis, tracking digital footprints, and CCTV footage review—as well as traditional, on-the-ground intelligence gathering and manual monitoring, to zero in on the accused.

DCP Veer further revealed that the individuals suspected of involvement in the crime had been closely acquainted with Sagar Chauhan and his family for a considerable period, indicating the possibility of a personal or financial dispute as a potential motive behind the crime.

On March 27, 2025, the Uttar Pradesh Police discovered an unidentified body within the jurisdiction of the Kandla Police Station in the Shamli district, a region located several hundred kilometers away from the victim’s home in Delhi. The state police subsequently registered a case of murder under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), even as efforts were initiated to determine the identity of the deceased.

Approximately a week later, following cross-state coordination and comparison of missing persons’ records, it was confirmed that the body was indeed that of Sagar Chauhan. This confirmation marked a crucial and grim breakthrough in the case.

In response to the discovery, the Delhi Police swiftly dispatched a team of officers from the Tilak Nagar Police Station, accompanied by Chauhan’s family members, to Shamli to assist with the identification and take part in joint investigations.

DCP Veer emphasized the seriousness of the case and said that the Delhi Police are working in close coordination with their counterparts in Uttar Pradesh to expedite the arrest of those responsible for the heinous crime. “We are leaving no stone unturned. Our teams are pursuing every lead, and we are confident of apprehending the accused soon,” he stated.

The tragic death of Sagar Chauhan has sent shockwaves through the local community in Tilak Nagar, where he was well known as a diligent and ambitious hotel operator. Friends, family, and acquaintances are struggling to come to terms with the brutal murder, especially as the suspects appear to have shared a longstanding relationship with the victim.

While further details surrounding the motive, timeline, and execution of the crime are still emerging, authorities have assured the public that justice will be served and that those responsible will face the full extent of the law.

With the body recovered and identified, post-mortem procedures and forensic analysis will provide additional insights into the cause and time of death, as well as any signs of torture or struggle. Investigators are also expected to examine the victim’s financial transactions, phone records, and recent interactions to piece together the sequence of events that led to his tragic demise.

The Delhi Policehaves appealed to the public to come forward with any information that could aid the ongoing investigation. They also reassured citizens that stringent actions would be taken to prevent such incidents and ensure public safety.