Bareilly, UP – In a remarkable development, police in Uttar Pradesh have arrested a man who had been evading the law for nearly 38 years after allegedly murdering his brother in the 1980s. The accused, Pradeep Kumar Saxena, had meticulously changed his appearance, identity, and even religion to avoid detection, living under a different name in Moradabad for decades.

The Crime and Initial Proceedings

The case dates back to 1987, when Pradeep Kumar Saxena, a resident of Bareilly, reportedly stabbed his brother, Sanjeev Saxena, who worked for the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC), to death. Pradeep was charged with murder and theft, but after two years, he was granted bail in 1989. Soon after, he disappeared, making it nearly impossible for authorities to trace him as he evaded arrest.

Over the decades, the accused successfully concealed his identity by altering his physical appearance and adopting a new lifestyle. He moved away from his family, and most relatives claimed they had no knowledge of his whereabouts. This long period of evasion drew renewed attention when the Allahabad High Court recently directed the Bareilly Police to locate and apprehend him within four weeks, given that he had been avoiding judicial proceedings for more than three decades.

Investigation and Leads

Following the High Court’s directive, a special police team was formed under the guidance of Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya. The team began by questioning Pradeep’s family members and acquaintances to gather leads. While many claimed not to know his location, a breakthrough came from Pradeep’s brother Suresh Saxena, who indicated that Pradeep might be living in Moradabad under a different identity.

The investigation led the police to the Katghar area of Moradabad, where locals identified a man named Abdul Rahim, also referred to as “Saxena Driver,” who had lived in the area for nearly three decades. This identification paved the way for the eventual arrest of the long-absconding accused.

Identity Changes and Life in Moradabad

During interrogation, Pradeep admitted to having changed his identity after being released on parole. He had also converted to Islam in 2002, adopting the name Abdul Rahim, in an effort to further conceal his past. Over the years, he had grown a beard and dressed in traditional kurta-pyjama attire, blending in with the local community. For many years, he worked as a driver, maintaining a low profile to avoid detection by law enforcement.

Police officials noted that his strategy to completely change his lifestyle and identity allowed him to live undisturbed for decades, despite the severity of his crime. His careful concealment highlights the challenges faced by authorities in tracking fugitives who deliberately manipulate their identity.

Arrest and Judicial Proceedings

Pradeep Kumar Saxena, now over 70 years old, was finally apprehended by the Prem Nagar police on Thursday, in compliance with the Allahabad High Court order. He was promptly produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Bareilly, which sent him to jail on Friday. Police confirmed that he had admitted to changing his identity and converting to Islam to evade arrest.

City Superintendent of Police Manush Parikh remarked on the significance of the arrest, emphasizing that the High Court had taken a strict view of the accused evading justice for decades. The police credited the successful operation to careful investigation, family leads, and local cooperation in Moradabad.

Implications and Significance

The arrest of Pradeep Kumar Saxena marks the conclusion of a case that had remained unresolved for nearly four decades. It demonstrates the persistence of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary in pursuing long-standing criminal cases.

Moreover, the case highlights the tactics sometimes employed by fugitives to evade justice, including identity changes, relocation, and even religious conversion. While such measures can complicate investigations, the sustained efforts of investigative teams can ultimately ensure that justice is served, regardless of the passage of time.

The authorities continue to review the case to determine if there are any additional aspects related to the long evasion, including possible assistance from others in concealing his whereabouts. Meanwhile, the legal process against Pradeep Kumar Saxena will proceed in Bareilly, as the courts aim to bring closure to the decades-old murder case.

This arrest serves as a reminder that time alone cannot shield criminals from the reach of law, and that persistent judicial and investigative efforts can eventually hold even long-absconding fugitives accountable.