Evading arrest for murder, man travels as saint for 27yrs; held

A 77-year-old man absconding for 27 years in a murder case, was arrested from Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, a Delhi police official said on Tuesday, adding that he was taking shelter at various religious places as a ‘saint’ to conceal his identity.

The accused was identified as Tillu alias Ramdas.

According to the police, on February 4, 1997, a man identified as Kishan Lal was killed by his brotherin-law Tillu and one Ramu in Tughlakabad extension. Both Tillu and Ramu were declared proclaimed offenders in the case on May 5, 1997.

Deputy commissioner of police (crime branch) Amit Goel said that a police team was tasked to trace wanted/absconding accused and parole jumpers of heinous cases, when Tillu, wanted in murder case, was identified.

The police team developed the information further and managed the mobile numbers of the family members and close relatives. “After thorough technical analysis, one mobile number was zeroed in, which frequently shifted its place and had no permanent location. As per location history, it also revealed that the location of user of the said mobile number was mostly near religious places in Haridwar and Rishikesh, Uttarakhand,” said the DCP.

It was further revealed that the suspect person had become a saint and used to visit temples and stay in different dharamshalas across the country.

“In 2023, his movement was located in KanyaKumari, but he could not be traced as he moved to Jagan Nath Puri, Odisha. However, his current location was traced in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand,” said the DCP.