Surat: In a remarkable turn of events, the prevention of crime branch (PCB) police in Surat dressed up as sadhus to arrest a murderer who had been hiding as a monk for the past 23 years. Padam Panda, who was one of the top 15 wanted criminals on the city police’s list, was apprehended from Kunjkuti ashram in Mathura.
PCB inspector RS Suvera revealed that after receiving a tip-off about Panda’s whereabouts, a team was dispatched to Mathura’s Nandagam with the mission to locate and apprehend him. Given the presence of around 100 ashrams in the area, the team came up with a unique strategy. Disguised as sadhus, they initiated a search and ultimately found Panda in one of the ashrams where they had been staying undercover.
Panda had a reward of Rs 45,000 on his head, and his name featured prominently on Surat’s wanted list. Prior to his arrest, he had been residing in a rented house in Udhana’s Shantinagar area. His infatuation with a woman living nearby caused complications when another individual named Vijay Sanchidas began frequenting her home. Angered by this, Panda warned Sanchidas to stay away but met with disobedience. In response, Panda, along with two of his accomplices, kidnapped Sanchidas and took him to a rivulet near Shantinagar in 2001.
After strangling Sanchidas, Panda disposed of his body in the rivulet before fleeing to his hometown, Ramanagar in Odisha’s Ganjam district. Surat police pursued him even there, but Panda managed to evade capture by leaving home upon learning of their search. He then made his way to Mathura, where he had been leading a life as a monk for the past 23 years.
This astonishing arrest has shed light on the extensive efforts taken by law enforcement agencies to track down and apprehend wanted individuals. The disguises worn by the PCB team demonstrated their commitment to serving justice, going to great lengths to ensure the safety and security of society.
In conclusion, the arrest of Padam Panda, a long-sought murderer hiding in plain sight, serves as a reminder that criminals cannot evade justice forever. The determination of the prevention of crime branch police highlights their unwavering dedication to apprehending notorious individuals. This operation not only brings closure to the victim’s family but also serves as a testament to the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in Surat.
