Surat police nab murder accused after 18 years chase through Jharkhand forests

SURAT: For nearly two decades, a murder over Rs 50 seemed to have slipped through the cracks. But far from being forgotten, the trail quietly stayed alive in police records, waiting for one crucial lead.This week, that long chase ended, as Surat police tracked down the accused, Rakesh Roshan alias Rajesh Roshan, now 36 years old, from a forested area in Jharkhand.The breakthrough came from an unlikely source — a bank transaction. It led investigators to an ATM some 15 km from the suspect's hideout, offering the first real clue in years. Convinced they were closing in, a police team launched a clandestine operation.For seven days, three cops dressed in tribal attire and maintained discreet surveillance. The patience paid off when the accused surfaced at the ATM kiosk. But the challenge did not end, as he tried to escape. What followed was a tense 5-km chase through rugged terrain before he was finally apprehended.Varachha police inspector RB Gojiya said Roshan is accused of murdering a man named Bablu in 2008."During our ongoing drive to trace absconders, we got information about him and later his bank records. The transactions revealed he frequently used an ATM kiosk about 15 km from his residence in Jharkhand's Dumka district," Gojiya said."A team comprising constables Vijaysinh, Sandipbhai, and Vasurbhai kept surveillance at the ATM for seven days. They disguised themselves in local tribal attire—lungi, shirt, and chappals—while keeping watch. When Roshan spotted them, he tried to flee, but was caught after a 5-km chase through the forest."A native of Bihar's Bhagalpur district, Roshan kept shifting locations over 18 years, working in West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and other states to evade arrest.The CrimeOn Oct 12, 2008, Roshan and his associate Amit allegedly approached Bablu, who sold water pouches and bottles at Surat railway station, to recover Rs 50 they had lent him. Bablu sought time to repay, but the duo returned around midnight near Khand Bazar and allegedly killed him.Cop used his sprinting prowessRoshan was slim and agile, enabling him to run swiftly. After withdrawing money from the ATM, he grew suspicious on noticing the police presence and attempted to flee. "Our team did not want to miss the opportunity, as he had turned up after seven days," said Gojiya. "One of our constables, Sandipbhai Sanga is a trained sprinter who has run several marathons and participated in school-level running events. He took the lead and chased him relentlessly until he was finally caught."