A routine investigation into an armed cab robbery in Rewari, Haryana, has unexpectedly exposed a decades-old revenge plot allegedly hatched by a PhD scholar targeting a convicted criminal. The police say the plot, fueled by a long-standing grudge, involved meticulous planning, an extensive cache of weapons, and a carefully orchestrated logistics network stretching across multiple states.

The Cab Robbery That Triggered the Probe

The case began in the early hours of December 16, when two men, Devanshu (32) from Ajmer, Rajasthan, and Shubham Verma (31) from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, hired a cab for travel from Delhi to Jaipur. Around Banipur Chowk on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway, the duo allegedly shot the driver, Sanjay Kumar (36), in the leg, took him hostage, and later abandoned him on Circular Road. They then fled with the vehicle toward Rajasthan.

A first information report (FIR) was promptly registered at Kasola police station in Rewari. Within eight hours, a specialized crime branch team arrested the suspects in Bhairavgarh, Rajasthan. What initially appeared to be a straightforward case of robbery soon revealed a far more sinister motive: a premeditated plan to commit murder, cultivated over decades.

The Revenge Motive

During interrogation on police remand, investigators learned that Devanshu, a PhD scholar in astrology at Jaipur University, had allegedly been planning for over a year and a half to kill Vinod Fedrick, a 65-year-old convicted drug smuggler and history-sheeter from Ajmer. The roots of this vendetta trace back more than 30 years to an incident involving Devanshu’s father, Suraj Bhan, a Rajasthan police constable.

In 1992, Bhan had arrested Fedrick for murder, resulting in Fedrick’s conviction and a 10-year sentence. However, Fedrick was granted bail in 1993, and on the day of his release, Bhan was allegedly hit by a speeding vehicle, leaving him with lifelong mental and physical disabilities. Born two months after the accident, Devanshu grew up believing Fedrick was directly responsible for his father’s condition, a perception that hardened into a vengeful obsession.

“Fedrick became the singular figure associated with his father’s lifelong suffering,” a police officer said. “This belief evolved over decades into a highly elaborate plan for revenge, executed with extraordinary precision.”

The Execution Plan

To carry out the murder, Devanshu allegedly secured loans totaling around ₹45 lakh from banks, relatives, and friends. He recruited his friend Shubham Verma to assist in the plan. The duo’s cab robbery was not a random crime; it was a calculated step to acquire a vehicle that could be used in their attack on Fedrick in Ajmer.

Police investigations revealed that the pair had stockpiled a formidable arsenal and surveillance equipment across locations in Rewari and Bhairavgarh. Among the items recovered were:

• 329 live cartridges and seven pistols
• Five magazines
• Six walkie-talkie sets with chargers
• A binocular and GPS detector
• Electronic jammers
• A handcuff, five cans of pepper spray, gloves
• Four mobile phones and four fraudulently issued SIM cards

According to authorities, the weapons were procured from an arms smuggler in Meerut, while the electronic devices were purchased via e-commerce platforms and shops near Delhi’s Red Fort. The cache was strategically stored, with recoveries made from a cliff in Rewari and from locations in Bhairavgarh, Rajasthan.

Police Interrogation and Confession

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Bawal), Surender Sheoran, said that during remand, the accused confessed to the full conspiracy, explaining how each element of the plan had been meticulously executed. “They were taken for detailed interrogation until Monday, during which they revealed the entire scheme,” Sheoran stated.

According to police, the plot was highly organized and professional, demonstrating the lengths to which Devanshu had gone to exact revenge. Authorities highlighted that while the robbery initially appeared to be a financial crime, it was, in reality, a means to facilitate a much larger criminal objective.

The Human Element: Obsession and Revenge

This case is a striking example of how intergenerational grievances and perceived injustices can fester into long-term obsessions. Devanshu’s motivation was rooted in a personal narrative of victimhood, tied to his father’s disabilities and a long-held belief in Fedrick’s culpability.

Psychologists note that revenge-driven crimes often involve extended periods of planning, emotional investment, and meticulous attention to detail, all of which were evident in this case. The extensive weaponry, electronic gadgets, and financial loans underscore the seriousness and premeditation of the scheme.

Law Enforcement and Investigation

The Rewari police and crime branch have praised the swift arrest of the suspects, emphasizing that quick action prevented what could have been a deadly attack in Ajmer. The coordination across state lines, from Haryana to Rajasthan, was critical in apprehending the accused before the murder plot could be executed.

Police are continuing to examine the sources of weapons and electronic devices, tracing potential connections to broader criminal networks. The involvement of a PhD scholar, however, highlights a departure from typical criminal profiles, emphasizing how personal motives and intellectual planning can converge in unexpected ways.

Legal and Social Implications

The case raises questions about intergenerational trauma, justice, and vigilantism. While Devanshu’s motives stem from perceived injustices against his father, the law clearly does not permit revenge killings, regardless of personal history. Experts also point out that the accessibility of arms and digital tools can amplify the capacity for premeditated crimes, as seen in this case.

Authorities are expected to charge both accused under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including attempted murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit murder. Additionally, there may be investigations into loan misuse and fraudulent financial activities, given the large sums allegedly mobilized to fund the plot.

Community Reactions

Residents in Rewari and Ajmer have expressed shock at the case, describing it as a blend of criminal audacity and psychological obsession. Community leaders have called for heightened vigilance, particularly regarding student and academic circles, noting that education or intellect does not preclude participation in serious criminal activities when combined with personal vendettas.

Conclusion

What began as an armed cab robbery investigation in Rewari quickly escalated into one of the most intriguing criminal cases in recent times, uncovering a decades-long revenge plot by a PhD scholar against a convicted criminal. Devanshu and Shubham’s arrest prevented a potential pre-planned murder in Ajmer, while exposing a sophisticated network of weapons, surveillance gadgets, and financial manipulation.

The case serves as a stark reminder of how unresolved personal grievances, when combined with access to resources and meticulous planning, can escalate into high-stakes criminal conspiracies. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the broader implications of the plot, ensuring that justice is served while also addressing the systemic vulnerabilities that allowed such a plan to take shape.

As the investigation continues, authorities hope that the case will act as a deterrent against similarly motivated revenge-driven crimes and highlight the importance of vigilance, rapid response, and cross-state coordination in preventing potential tragedies.