Bhubaneswar, August 12: A 52-year-old man accused in a 2001 murder case has been arrested in Chennai after evading capture for over two decades, Brahmapur Police informed on Tuesday.
The accused, identified as Udaya Pradhan, was apprehended on Monday during Operation Garuda, a statewide drive to track down long-time fugitives. Acting on a credible tip-off, a police team from Ganjam district travelled to Chennai and arrested him, said Ganjam SP Subhendu Patra.
According to police, Udaya, along with his brothers Pancham Pradhan and Musha Pradhan, allegedly hacked Kaibalya Pradhan to death in Keranditola village (now under Chamakhandi police station limits) on July 6, 2001, following a dispute.
Musha was arrested the same day of the incident, but Udaya and Pancham fled. While police made several unsuccessful attempts to track Udaya over the years, he managed to evade capture by assuming the identity “Ganesh” and working at a construction company in Chennai.
“Initially, Udaya and Pancham had taken shelter in Bengaluru. Following a fallout between the brothers, Udaya moved to Chennai while Pancham’s whereabouts remain unknown,” said Sabyasachi Malla, Inspector-in-Charge of Chamakhandi police station.
Police said that Musha has already completed his life sentence and has been released, while efforts are continuing to trace Pancham.
