Fugitive Dacoit Captured After 16-Year Elusive Run in Cross-State Operation
In a meticulously planned intelligence-driven operation that spanned multiple states and years, a joint team comprising the Surat crime branch and the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) successfully apprehended a fugitive dacoit who had masterfully evaded law enforcement for an astonishing 16 years. The arrest marks the culmination of an extensive manhunt for an individual who consistently altered his identity and location to avoid detection.
The Arrest and Key Details
The accused, identified as Shailendra Kumar Singh, also known as Raju Singh, aged 38 and originally from Jaunpur, was captured on March 26 at approximately 5:30 pm. The arrest took place in the Vrindavan Yojana Sector-9 area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the PGI police station in Lucknow. Singh was carrying a reward of Rs 30,000 and was wanted in connection with multiple dacoity cases registered in Surat, Gujarat.
According to officials, Singh had been living under various aliases and frequently changed his profession to blend into society while remaining on the run. His ability to maintain multiple fake identities made earlier attempts to trace him in Jaunpur unsuccessful.
Breakthrough and Undercover Surveillance
The pivotal breakthrough in the case occurred nearly two weeks prior to the arrest, following the detention of CB Singh, a relative of the accused. During interrogation, CB Singh disclosed that Shailendra was residing in Lucknow and working as a property dealer. This critical information prompted a carefully orchestrated surveillance operation.
Surat crime branch investigating officer Shailesh Dubey recounted the operation, stating that a team was deployed on the ground, with Dubey himself posing as a kiosk owner in the area for five consecutive days. The objective was to monitor Singh's movements and confirm his identity without alerting him.
"We deployed a team on the ground, and I myself posed as a kiosk owner in the area for five days to track his movements and confirm his identity," Dubey explained.
Challenges and Final Capture
The accused proved to be extremely cautious and elusive. "He barely stepped out and had stocked essential supplies inside his house. For days, he did not make any movement," Dubey added, highlighting the challenges faced by the surveillance team.
However, persistence paid off on the fifth day when Singh finally emerged from his residence to purchase ration. Seizing the opportunity, the joint team, in coordination with the STF, swiftly moved in and apprehended him.
"The moment he stepped out to buy ration, we, along with the STF team, moved in and arrested him," Dubey stated.
Background and Confession
During subsequent interrogation, Singh confessed to his criminal activities, as revealed by UP STF additional SP Avnishwar Chandra Srivastava. Singh admitted that he relocated to Gujarat in 2009 in search of employment. In 2010, along with four associates, he executed a series of robberies in Surat.
While his accomplices were eventually arrested, Singh managed to escape, first fleeing to Mumbai, then to Jaunpur, and later returning to Lucknow. "Since then, he was living under fake identities in different cities, including Lucknow, to avoid arrest," Srivastava noted.
Police further elaborated that Singh frequently projected himself as an advocate or property dealer to seamlessly integrate into society while evading law enforcement. This strategy allowed him to remain undetected for over a decade and a half, making his capture a significant achievement for the joint investigative teams.
