Ahmedabad: A murder convict who jumped parole and spent nearly 12 years acting in Bollywood films alongside top stars was arrested by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch on Wednesday. Hemant Nagindas Modi, 53, known in entertainment circles as Spandan Modi and sometimes Twinkle Dave, had been listed as a fugitive since 2014.
The Crime and Conviction
Modi was convicted in the murder of Narendra Kamble during a violent neighborhood clash in Naroda in 2005. Along with six others, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2008 and was initially lodged in Sabarmati jail before being transferred to Mehsana jail.
Parole and Disappearance
In July 2014, the Gujarat High Court granted him 30 days' parole. Instead of returning, Modi vanished. He first slipped into Gujarat's theatre circuit before gradually reinventing himself and building a career in Mumbai's entertainment industry.
Bollywood Career While on the Run
During his years as a fugitive, Modi acted as a supporting actor in several major film productions. His filmography includes:
- Thugs of Hindostan starring Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan
- Jayeshbhai Jordaar starring Ranveer Singh
- Metro In Dino featuring Konkana Sen Sharma and Pankaj Tripathi
- Lahore 1947 starring Sunny Deol and Vicky Kaushal
- L2: Empuraan, a big-budget Malayalam film featuring Mohanlal and Prithviraj
He also appeared in Hindi and Gujarati television serials and web series while maintaining a visible profile in entertainment circles.
How He Evaded Capture
A Crime Branch officer explained, "After fleeing parole, he initially lived in Patan before moving to Mumbai where he kept changing paying guest accommodation. To avoid detection, he changed his looks and identities repeatedly, and completely cut off contact with his past life." Another officer added, "He was so confident that he began to work openly in films, serials, and theatre."
The Arrest
The breakthrough came after police received specific intelligence suggesting Modi had recently returned to Ahmedabad, apparently believing enough time had passed for him to move unnoticed. Officers verified old court and jail records before zeroing in on his location near Gheekanta Metro Station, ending a decade-long manhunt that exposed gaps in coordination between law enforcement and the entertainment industry. Modi initially tried to project himself as a law-abiding actor but eventually confessed after being shown documents establishing his identity.
