Delhi Police arrests ‘Lady Don’, 19, linked to gangster Himanshu Bhau and Burger King murder

In a high-profile arrest, Delhi Police have taken into custody 19-year-old Annu Dhankar, widely referred to as ‘Lady Don,’ in connection with the shocking murder of 26-year-old Aman Joon at a Burger King restaurant in Rajouri Garden, West Delhi. Dhankar was apprehended on October 24 near the Indo-Nepal border in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, while she was reportedly trying to escape law enforcement. This arrest follows an extensive manhunt that began after the murder occurred on June 18, 2024.

The police have classified Dhankar as a proclaimed offender, highlighting her significant role in orchestrating the brutal killing of Joon. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Amit Kaushik, the investigation revealed that Dhankar had befriended Joon through social media. She allegedly manipulated him into visiting the Burger King location, where the murder unfolded. On the day of the incident, three assailants arrived on a motorcycle; two entered the restaurant and fired between 20 and 25 rounds at Joon, who was killed instantly. At the time of the shooting, over 50 patrons were present in the eatery, causing widespread panic.

Investigators have disclosed that Dhankar was closely linked to notorious gangster Himanshu Bhau, who has been on law enforcement's radar for orchestrating several violent crimes. Reports indicate that Dhankar was lured into criminal activities with promises of a lavish lifestyle in the United States. Following the murder, she evaded authorities by relocating to various cities, including Chandigarh, Jalandhar, and Haridwar. During her time on the run, she maintained contact with Bhau, who allegedly provided her with financial assistance, highlighting the extent of their criminal partnership.

The underlying motive for Joon's murder appears to be tied to a revenge plot connected to a prior killing in Haryana in 2020. Bhau, suspected of residing in Portugal, openly claimed responsibility for the murder on social media, framing it as retaliation against Joon for the death of his associate, Shakti Dada. In his post, Bhau issued a chilling warning that anyone involved in the earlier killing would also face dire consequences.

CCTV footage from the Burger King incident has proven instrumental in the investigation. The video captured Dhankar seated with Joon just moments before the shooting occurred. After the attack, she reportedly fled the scene with Joon's mobile phone and wallet, indicating her intent to eliminate any potential links to the crime. Following her escape, Dhankar returned to her residence in Mukherjee Nagar, packed her belongings, and then traveled across multiple cities in a bid to avoid detection.

On October 24, the Special Cell received actionable intelligence regarding Dhankar’s whereabouts near the Indo-Nepal border. Swiftly acting on this information, police operatives located and apprehended her as she attempted to cross into Nepal. Dhankar’s criminal background includes involvement in a previous shooting incident, raising alarm over her extensive criminal affiliations and the potential for further violent acts. The police have confirmed that they are continuing to investigate the broader network of individuals connected to Dhankar and Bhau, as they seek to dismantle this dangerous criminal enterprise. Authorities are expected to file formal charges against Dhankar shortly, and she is likely to face serious charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, among others.