Pune : The Pune Police Crime Branch’s Unit-5 team has successfully apprehended a long-time fugitive, Rahim alias Wahim Abbas Patel, aged 45 and a resident of Surat, Gujarat. Patel, a native of Ramtekdi, Hadapsar, Pune, had been evading arrest for 12 years in connection with a crime registered against him at the Wanwadi Police Station. The arrest was made possible after extensive efforts by the police.
Patel was wanted in a case registered under sections IPC 498, 323, 504, 506, and 34, dating back to 2012. Despite being declared a fugitive by the court due to his prolonged absence, Patel managed to evade capture until now.
The search for Patel intensified in connection with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, prompting Crime Branch Unit 5 to intensify their efforts to locate him. Despite facing challenges in tracing his whereabouts, the team persisted in their pursuit of the absconding accused.
Acting on a tip-off, police inspector Rajas Sheikh received information suggesting that Patel was residing in Bardoli taluka of Gujarat, under a false identity. With the help of a photograph of Patel from 13 years ago, the police went to Gujrat to locate and apprehend him.
After an extensive search, the police team successfully located Patel in Bardoli and took him into custody. During interrogation, Patel revealed that he had been living under a different identity for over a decade to evade arrest by the police.
Following his apprehension, Patel has been handed over to the Wanwadi police for further legal proceedings. The successful operation was carried out under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police Crime Amol Zende and Assistant Commissioner of Police Satish Govekar, with Senior Police Inspector Vishvajeet Kaingade leading the team consisting of Police Sub-Inspector Avinash Lohote and several police constables.