Fugitive Killer Turned YouTuber Arrested

In a stunning revelation, Delhi Police's Crime Branch has arrested Salim Wastik, a well-known YouTuber and social activist, in connection with a 26-year-old kidnapping and murder case. Formerly known as Salim Khan, he was serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of 13-year-old Sandeep Bansal in January 1995. The investigation began after Sandeep was kidnapped for a Rs 30,000 ransom and subsequently found murdered.

Salim Khan confessed to the crime and was sentenced in 1997. However, he vanished in 2000 after being granted interim bail by the Delhi High Court. He adopted the new identity of Salim Wastik, reportedly faking his own death and moving through Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, working various jobs before becoming an online personality.

Wastik gained national attention for his strong views on religious matters and national security. His public profile became his undoing when police, using fingerprint analysis and old photographs, confirmed his true identity as the fugitive Salim Khan. The arrest occurred in Loni, Ghaziabad, shortly after Wastik had recovered from a stabbing incident in February 2026, which was linked to his controversial online commentary.

This apprehension underscores the long reach of law enforcement, proving that fame and a fabricated identity could not shield him from justice. Salim Wastik has now been returned to Tihar Jail to complete his original sentence for the 1995 crime.