Lucknow, June 13: The Saharanpur police, in collaboration with the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), successfully apprehended a Bangladeshi fugitive who had been on the run for 17 years. The individual, wanted with a bounty of ₹25,000, was arrested during a joint operation conducted by the Chilakna police station and the Saharanpur ATS team.
This operation marks a significant achievement for security agencies. The accused had evaded law enforcement and the courts since 2009, living under various identities across different states. During the arrest, authorities discovered a Bangladeshi identity card, a fake Aadhaar card, and other suspicious documents in his possession.
According to City SP Vyom Bindal, a case was registered at the Qutubshahr police station under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act based on a complaint from then-Intelligence Unit Sub-Inspector Indrapal Singh in 2009. Investigations revealed that six Bangladeshi nationals had entered India without valid passports and essential documents, working in various locations.
Police have initiated action against all suspects, with three already sentenced by the court. The fugitive, Zahid, had previously been released on bail but failed to appear in court, leading to a non-bailable warrant for his arrest. After a prolonged absence, a reward of ₹25,000 was announced for information leading to his capture.
Under the direction of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), a special campaign is underway to apprehend wanted criminals. A joint team was formed under the supervision of the City SP and Circle Officer Sadar, led by Chilakna Station In-Charge Vinod Kumar and ATS Unit Inspector Sudhir Kumar Ujjwal.
The team received a tip-off about the fugitive’s presence in the area. Acting on this information, they set up a blockade near the Syphon Bridge and arrested the suspect, who identified himself as Zahid. He had been residing in Derabassi, SAS Nagar, Mohali (Punjab), while his permanent address was reported as Lefkasari Police Station, Bandarban District (Bangladesh).
During the arrest, police confiscated a Bangladeshi identity card and a Vivo mobile phone. A search of the phone revealed a fake Aadhaar card and other dubious documents. Based on these findings, a new case has been registered against the accused at the Chilakna police station under IPC Sections 318(4), 336(3), 340(2), and Section 14 of the Foreigners Act.
Initial investigations have uncovered several critical details. Authorities learned that the fugitive had been changing locations since 2009 to evade capture, concealing his identity by living in various states. Investigative agencies are also exploring his connections with individuals from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and other countries. Additionally, his wife is reportedly from Nepal, complicating the case further.
The police and ATS are now examining the fugitive’s contacts, network, and other potential accomplices hiding in the country. Security agencies are also investigating how he managed to use fake documents while residing in India and who assisted him.
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