Two decades-old cases resolved in Mumbai Police crackdown
Mumbai Police have arrested two men wanted in separate cases, both of whom had evaded arrest for decades. The Sakinaka police held a 59-year-old man wanted in a 1986 murder case, while the Borivali police arrested another man accused of attacking a cricket umpire with a bat 36 years ago.
In the first case, the Sakinaka police arrested Suresh Chander Adagale from Ranjangaon in Pune's Shirur tehsil on August 20. Adagale, a labourer, was 19 when he was initially arrested for allegedly killing a colleague during a trivial dispute. The court granted him bail on condition that he attend court hearings, but he stopped appearing, prompting a non-bailable warrant. He subsequently disappeared and remained untraced for nearly 40 years.
Police used technical surveillance and confidential tips
The police revived efforts to trace Adagale using technical surveillance and confidential intelligence. Former colleagues told investigators that Adagale had attended a wedding in Pune. An initial visit to his native village yielded no result, but technical inputs helped trace him to Ranjangaon.
The police laid a trap at his residence and arrested him. Officials said Adagale had been living under a false identity to avoid detection. He is in police custody and legal proceedings are underway. Police said the arrest was part of Mumbai Police's drive to trace long-pending absconders.
The Sakinaka Police continued efforts to locate him over the years. The police team responsible for tracing absconding accused recently took up the case. On August 20, officers and personnel from the Sakinaka Police Station's absconding accused search team used technical surveillance and information gathered through confidential sources to establish Adagale's whereabouts.
Separate case: Cricket umpire attack accused held after 36 years
In the second case, the Borivali police arrested Omprakash Lalta Pasi, now 55, for allegedly attacking a cricket umpire in 1990. Pasi, then 18, allegedly hit the umpire with a cricket bat after being declared out during a match. The umpire sustained serious injuries and Pasi fled. A case was registered at Borivali police station.
During court proceedings, Pasi repeatedly failed to appear and was declared a proclaimed offender. Police said he changed his address and contact details to evade arrest. He was traced to Poonam Residency in Mira Road East, Thane, using intelligence and technical investigation, and arrested there. Pasi now faces an attempt to murder charge, and investigation is underway.