Bengaluru Murder Convict Apprehended After Fleeing Emergency Parole
A 40-year-old murder convict, identified as M Ramakrishna, who had absconded after being granted emergency parole, has been taken into police custody earlier this week. The arrest marks the culmination of an intensive manhunt launched after Ramakrishna failed to return to Bengaluru Central Prison on his scheduled date.
Parole Granted and Subsequent Disappearance
Ramakrishna was released from Bengaluru Central Prison on December 11, 2025, following a directive from the high court that authorized a 90-day emergency parole. However, he did not report back to the prison authorities by the stipulated deadline of March 10, 2026. This breach prompted officials to file a formal complaint with the Parappana Agrahara police station, initiating a search operation.
Challenges in the Investigation
M Narayana, the Deputy Commissioner of Police for Electronics City, revealed that a special team was assembled to locate the fugitive. One of the primary obstacles faced by investigators was the absence of a digital footprint. Ramakrishna was not carrying a mobile phone and refrained from using any debit or credit cards, which significantly limited the electronic trails available to law enforcement.
The investigation team visited Ramakrishna's family in Kyatasandra, Tumakuru, where they learned that he had stayed with them during his parole period. Family members stated that he left home on the morning of March 10, ostensibly to return to prison. Despite reviewing CCTV footage from the Kyatasandra bus stand and other strategic points along the highway, police were unable to trace his movements due to insufficient and unclear video evidence.
Breakthrough via Surveillance and Coin-Operated Phone
In a strategic move, police maintained close surveillance on the activities of Ramakrishna's family, with particular focus on his elder son. This vigilance paid off when they detected a call made to the son's mobile phone from a coin-operated telephone booth located at the KSRTC bus stand in Kadur.
Recognizing this as a critical lead, officers promptly examined CCTV footage from the vicinity. In the grainy visuals, they observed a man clad in saffron robes lingering near the telephone booth. This sighting provided the first tangible clue in weeks.
Arrest in Kadur and Confession
A plainclothes police unit was immediately dispatched to Kadur to follow up on the lead. Their inquiries at local lodges revealed that an individual matching the description—wearing saffron robes—had checked into a modest hotel, paying a daily rent of Rs 100.
When the police team arrived at the hotel, the suspect was not present. However, upon his return, he was apprehended without incident. During subsequent interrogation, the individual confessed to being M Ramakrishna, confirming his identity as the fugitive convict.
Background of the Conviction
Police records indicate that Ramakrishna was involved in a 2017 murder case, where he and a female friend were accused of killing her husband. The Tumakuru police arrested both individuals in connection with the crime. Subsequently, in 2021, they were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, underscoring the severity of the charges that led to his incarceration.
The successful arrest highlights the persistence of law enforcement in tracking down fugitives, even when faced with limited digital evidence and deliberate attempts to evade capture.
