Bahadurgarh Gang Rape: UP Woman Assaulted at Roadside Dhaba, AI-Based UPI Tracing Leads to Arrests

Report By: Swapnaleena Paul: A 42-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh was allegedly gang-raped by a group of men at a deserted roadside dhaba in Bahadurgarh, a town bordering Delhi, in the early hours of January 12, 2026, police said.

According to investigators, the woman had travelled to Bahadurgarh with her uncle and cousin in search of employment. After alighting from a bus near a Green Line metro station late at night, the trio began walking along the Delhi–Rohtak Road when they were allegedly followed by a group of men who had been travelling on the same bus.

Police said the accused intercepted the family, forcibly separated the woman from her relatives, and dragged her to a secluded roadside dhaba along the highway. The assault allegedly took place around 2.30 am, while her uncle and cousin were threatened and prevented from intervening.

The woman was later taken for medical examination, and her statement was recorded. Initially, the case was reported as a robbery. However, during the course of the investigation, CCTV footage from the dhaba and nearby establishments revealed evidence of sexual assault. Following this, police altered the case to include charges of gang rape and criminal conspiracy.

A breakthrough in the case came through technology-driven investigation, officials said. The accused had allegedly purchased liquor worth ₹130 shortly before the crime, paying ₹100 in cash and the remaining ₹30 via a UPI transaction. This split payment proved crucial, as it allowed investigators to link CCTV visuals of the suspects to a traceable digital identity.

Police sources said the investigation was personally overseen by Dr. Rajshri Singh, who directed specialized Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) teams to deploy AI-based digital tracing tools. Using these tools, investigators were able to map the UPI ID to the suspects’ physical location and movement patterns, correlating transaction data with surveillance footage and time stamps.

Based on this evidence, police arrested four men within eight hours of the incident. The accused are reported to be local residents of the Bahadurgarh area, originally from Bihar. A fifth suspect remains absconding, and multiple police teams have been deployed to trace him.

Authorities are also questioning the dhaba owner and examining whether there were any lapses in safety or reporting. Police said a chargesheet will be filed within the statutory period.

The incident has once again raised concerns over women’s safety along poorly lit highways and late-night travel routes in the National Capital Region. Officials reiterated the need for enhanced night patrols, improved surveillance, and stricter monitoring of roadside establishments.

The survivor is currently receiving medical and psychological support, police said.