Fugitive Caught After 45 Years on the Run: A Tale of Crime and Redemption

A 72-year-old man, Popat Govind Vaydande, was arrested in Sangli after evading capture for 45 years. He was implicated in an attempt to murder case from 1981. The case was reopened following a court order, leading to his identification and arrest with the help of a voter's ID in Satara.

A 72-year-old man was apprehended in Sangli after evading authorities for 45 years in a long-standing attempt to murder case, as stated by the police on Thursday. The Trombay police station identified the suspect as Popat Govind Vaydande, apprehended from Ambegaon in Kadegaon taluka.

The incident dates back to 1981, with the attempt to murder case recently revived following a court's request for a search report and directive for absconding Vaydande to appear. According to officials, an investigation revealed his expulsion from Mumbai the same year.

Acting on intelligence, the police traced Vaydande to Shenoli, Satara, where he lived briefly. A 74-year-old woman living there informed them of his possible location in Sangli, leading to his arrest in a field. His identity was verified through a voter's ID card.

(With inputs from agencies.)