A simple phone call inviting relatives to a wedding became the undoing of a wanted criminal who had been evading the law for over a decade. Sandeep Mishra, a history-sheeter with a cash reward on his head, was finally arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police after 13 years on the run. His capture in Banda followed a brief encounter, closing a long chapter for law enforcement.
The Dramatic Escape and a Long Manhunt
The saga began on August 8, 2012. Sandeep Mishra, then 45, was among 13 accused being transported from Banda jail to a court. In a bold move, he threw chilli powder at the escorting police officers, snatched a rifle from one of them, and opened fire. In the ensuing chaos, all 13 prisoners managed to flee.
While the police successfully apprehended the other 12 accused by 2015, Mishra proved to be an elusive target. He vanished without a trace, and the police announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to his capture. A special team was tasked with tracking down such fugitive criminals, and Mishra remained high on their list.
A New Identity and the Wedding Call That Brought Him Down
For years, Mishra successfully stayed off the police radar. Investigations revealed he had been living in Pune under the assumed identity of Pappu Tiwari. His wife, Shyama, had also changed her name to Pooja Tiwari. Officials stated that the accused worked in factories, avoided contact with his family, and never traveled to his hometown of Banda during his years in hiding.
"We used multiple methods to keep an eye on elusive criminals, including tip-offs from informers, surveillance, and decoys. For six months, we had been tracking Mishra," said SP Palash Bansal.
The breakthrough came from modern surveillance techniques. Police intercepted a phone call made by his wife to her parents. The conversation, which involved inviting relatives from Uttar Pradesh to Pune for a wedding, raised immediate red flags. Upon verification, the cops found that the names of the parents matched those of Mishra's in-laws.
The Final Takedown and Police Strategy
After months of discreet tracking and ground verification, the police pinpointed Mishra's movements as he planned to attend his son's wedding in Banda. This intelligence led them directly to the fugitive. An encounter ensued in Banda, resulting in Mishra's arrest.
An official involved in the operation highlighted the challenges: "The accused managed to stay off police radar by frequently changing locations and limiting contact with relatives." However, the desire to celebrate a family milestone ultimately led to his capture.
The arrest of Sandeep Mishra marks the end of one of Uttar Pradesh police's longest manhunts. It underscores the persistence of law enforcement and how traditional motives, like family events, can trip up even the most cautious criminals. The case also demonstrates the effectiveness of combining human intelligence with technological surveillance to solve cold cases.
