In a significant breakthrough, a joint police team in Uttar Pradesh's Banda district successfully apprehended a long-wanted criminal, Sandeep, following an encounter late on Friday night. The arrest brings an end to a 13-year manhunt for the fugitive, who was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head.
The Dramatic Night Encounter
The operation unfolded near the Bhuragarh bypass. A combined force from the district's Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Mataundh police station was conducting routine checks of suspicious individuals and vehicles. Their vigilance was heightened by a tip-off from an informant, who reported a man drinking alcohol in the area while in possession of an illegal pistol.
Acting swiftly, the police team cordoned off the location and moved in to detain the suspect. However, the situation turned violent when the man, later identified as Sandeep, opened fire on the officers. In what officials described as retaliatory firing in self-defence, Sandeep was hit by a bullet in his right leg. He was subsequently overpowered and arrested at the scene.
A Fugitive's 13-Year Run Comes to an End
During interrogation, the arrested individual revealed his identity as Sandeep, a resident of Khoh village under the Kotwali Karvi police station in neighbouring Chitrakoot district. His criminal saga dates back to August 8, 2012.
On that fateful day, Sandeep was being transported to Banda district jail after a court hearing in Karvi. In a bold escape attempt, he threw chilli powder into the eyes of the accompanying police personnel, snatched a government-issued rifle, and fled. A case was registered at the Atarra police station, and a massive search operation was launched.
According to Additional SP Shivraj, Sandeep managed to evade capture for over a decade by constantly changing his appearance and location. The persistence of the police finally paid off with this late-night operation.
Aftermath and Legal Proceedings
Following the encounter, the injured criminal was immediately rushed to the district hospital for medical treatment. Police confirmed that his condition is stable and out of danger.
The reward for his capture, announced by the Additional Director General of Police (ADG), has now been claimed by the team responsible for his arrest. After the necessary medical formalities, Sandeep was presented before a court on Saturday and has been remanded to judicial custody, finally landing him in the jail he escaped over thirteen years ago.
This arrest highlights the relentless pursuit of wanted criminals by the Uttar Pradesh Police, demonstrating that even those who vanish for years are not beyond the reach of the law.
