August 1978. New Delhi was supposed to be a safe place for kids. At least, that's what everyone thought until Geeta Chopra and Sanjay Chopra vanished into thin air. Honestly, it's one of those stories that sticks in the back of your throat even decades later.
If you grew up in India or have an interest in true crime, you've likely heard the names Ranga and Billa. But behind those infamous nicknames are two real children whose lives were cut short because of a series of tragic, almost unbelievable coincidences. Geeta, just 16 and a half, was a bright student at Jesus and Mary College. Her brother, Sanjay, was only 14, studying at Modern School. They were "Navy brats"—the kids of Captain Madan Mohan Chopra.
The Night Everything Went Wrong
It was a Saturday. August 26. The siblings were heading to the All India Radio office on Sansad Marg to participate in a program called Yuva Vani. They left their home in Dhaula Kuan around 6:15 pm, expecting a routine evening.
They never made it to the studio.
Instead, they were lured into a mustard-colored Fiat (registration HRK 8930) by two men, Kuljeet Singh (Ranga) and Jasbir Singh (Billa). The kidnappers didn't actually have a personal vendetta. They were basically looking for a quick payday. They thought if they snatched some well-dressed kids, they could squeeze the parents for ransom.
But things got dark fast.
✨ Don't miss: Who Is More Likely to Win the Election 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
Once the duo realized the children’s father was a naval officer, they panicked. They assumed a military man wouldn't have the kind of "black money" or massive wealth they were looking for. Instead of letting them go, they chose a much more brutal path.
Why Didn't Anyone Stop the Car?
This is the part that still haunts people. Multiple witnesses saw the struggle. A man named Bhagwan Dass saw a girl pulling the driver’s hair near Gole Dak Khana. He even called the police. But get this: the operator misheard the license plate.
Another witness, Inderjeet Singh, actually chased the car on his scooter. He saw Sanjay waving a bleeding hand for help. He followed them until the car jumped a red light and disappeared into the Ridge area.
The police response was, frankly, a disaster. Because of jurisdictional bickering—wondering if the crime happened in one district or another—they didn't seal the exits fast enough. By the time they took it seriously, it was too late.
The Arrest and the Trial That Shook India
The bodies were found two days later in the Delhi Ridge area. The brutality was sickening. Geeta had been raped before being murdered, and both children had been stabbed multiple times.
🔗 Read more: Air Pollution Index Delhi: What Most People Get Wrong
The hunt for Ranga and Billa became a national obsession.
They were eventually caught on a train near Agra by some jawans (soldiers) who recognized them from newspaper sketches. During the trial, the evidence was overwhelming. We're talking hair samples, fingerprints on a hospital X-ray (Billa had gone to a hospital for a head wound he got during the struggle with the kids), and bloodstains that matched the siblings' rare blood groups.
The Verdict and Execution
The court didn't hold back. In 1979, they were sentenced to death. The judge noted that the survival of an orderly society demanded the "extinction" of such "menace to social order."
Ranga and Billa were hanged in Tihar Jail on January 31, 1982. There's a persistent story from that morning: Billa was crying, but Ranga supposedly held his breath when the lever was pulled. He didn't die instantly. A jail staff member had to jump into the pit and pull on Ranga's legs to finish the execution.
Why We Still Talk About Geeta Chopra and Sanjay Chopra
You see their names every year, even if you don't realize it. In 1978, the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) established the Geeta Chopra Award and the Sanjay Chopra Award. These are given to children under 16 for acts of extreme bravery.
💡 You might also like: Why Trump's West Point Speech Still Matters Years Later
It’s a bittersweet legacy.
Geeta and Sanjay were posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra in 1981. Their mother accepted the honors from President Sanjiva Reddy. It was a recognition that even in their final moments, these two kids fought back with everything they had. They didn't just go quietly.
Modern Media and the Case
The case has been revisited in various ways lately.
- Black Warrant (2025): The Netflix series based on Sunil Gupta's book brings these events to a new generation.
- Saali Mohabbat (2025): Tisca Chopra’s directorial debut reportedly uses the Geeta Colony incidents as a narrative jumping-off point.
- Fallen City: Sudeep Chakravarti's book explores how this specific crime changed the "soul" of Delhi forever.
Actionable Insights for Child Safety Today
While the Geeta Chopra and Sanjay Chopra case happened decades ago, the lessons regarding urban safety are unfortunately still relevant. Here is what we can learn:
- Trust Your Gut on the Street: If you see a struggle in a vehicle, don't just watch. Note the number and color, and call emergency services immediately. Modern GPS makes this easier than it was in '78.
- The "Safety in Pairs" Myth: People often think siblings are safe together. Predators often target pairs because they look less "guarded" than a lone child. Teaching children that they are never "safe enough" to take a lift from a stranger is vital.
- Institutional Accountability: This case led to massive reforms in how Delhi Police handle kidnappings. If you are reporting a crime and a "jurisdiction" excuse is given, remind the officers of the "Zero FIR" rule, which requires them to act regardless of where the crime occurred.
The tragedy of 1978 didn't just end with a trial; it transformed the way India looks at the bravery of its youth and the failures of its protectors.
Next Steps:
If you want to delve deeper into the legal precedents set by this case, you can look up the "Rarest of Rare" doctrine which was heavily influenced by the public outcry following this trial. You might also find it insightful to read Sunil Gupta’s Black Warrant for a first-hand account of the convicts' final days in Tihar.