The Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh achieved a significant breakthrough on Saturday with the arrest of a long-absconding criminal who carried a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head. The operation culminated in the Civil Lines area of Prayagraj, bringing an end to a manhunt that lasted for more than three and a half years.
The Arrest and the Accused
The arrested individual has been identified as Himanshu, who also goes by the name Sachin Shukla. According to police records, Shukla is an active member of a gang involved in multiple incidents of loot and theft. He was specifically wanted by the Nawabganj police in connection with a robbery case dating back to June 2022.
The successful apprehension was carried out by the Prayagraj Field Unit of the STF, which was conducting a targeted drive against wanted and rewarded criminals under the leadership of Inspector Jai Prakash Rai. Acting on a tip-off about Shukla's presence in the Civil Lines locality, a meticulously planned trap was laid.
Operation Details and Criminal Background
A team comprising Sub-Inspector Vinay Tiwari, Head Constables Abhishek Mishra, Rohit Singh, and Praveen Jaiswal, Commando Head Constable Arvind Kumar, and Constable Manoj Kumar Yadav moved into position. The accused was finally captured near the Mishra Bhawan crossing.
Investigations reveal that Sachin Shukla is a native of Purwa village under the Baghrai police station in Pratapgarh district. His gang is allegedly led by his brother-in-law, Dheeraj Mishra of Rampur Hathigahan. The specific case for which he was wanted involved the looting of one Zaid Khan of Atrampur alias Nawabganj on June 11, 2022.
During the 2022 incident, locals managed to apprehend the gang leader Dheeraj Mishra, but Shukla and other accomplices fled the scene. Police sources indicate that Sachin subsequently escaped to Delhi and had returned to his native place only a few days prior to his arrest. He had come to Prayagraj to meet a friend in the Jhalwa area when the STF net closed in on him.
Pending Cases and Conclusion
Sachin Shukla's criminal dossier includes two cases registered against him at the Baghrai police station and one at the Nawabganj police station. His arrest marks a crucial victory for the STF's ongoing campaign to track down rewarded criminals across the state. The operation underscores the effectiveness of sustained intelligence-gathering and coordinated field action in bringing long-evading offenders to justice.
