A man wanted for the murder of a fellow worker in Khopoli was arrested at the India-Nepal border on September 29, after evading police for nearly three weeks.
The accused, Akhtar Habib Baitha (27), a resident of Pirokhar village in Madhubani district, Bihar, had been absconding since September 11, the day the murder occurred.
### Murder Linked to Money Dispute
Police reported that Baitha allegedly attacked Paras Harihar Singh (50) of Sitamarhi, Bihar, by hitting him on the head with a stone inside a rented room and shed in Devanhave, Khalapur taluka, Raigad. Singh later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigations revealed that the attack stemmed from a financial dispute. Singh had lent Rs 6,000 to Baitha, who was asked to return the money, leading to the fatal confrontation.
### Accused Flees Across Multiple Districts
Following the murder, Baitha fled from Raigad to Thane, then to Dahanu in Palghar district, switching off his phone to avoid detection. Police teams conducted searches in Surat, Ahmedabad, Madhubani, and Sitamarhi but were initially unable to trace him.
### Arrest Coordinated with Nepal Police
Acting on intelligence, authorities learned that Baitha was hiding in Mahottari, Nepal. A special police team, in coordination with local Nepalese police, tracked his movements and successfully detained him at the India-Nepal border.
Superintendent of Police Anchal Dalal praised the operation, stating, “Tracking and arresting an accused across state borders and near an international boundary was a major challenge.”
Baitha was arrested at 2:45 pm on September 29 and produced before the court, which remanded him to police custody until October 4.
### Ongoing Investigation
The investigation is currently being supervised by Additional SP Abhijit Shivthare, SDPO Vishal Nehul, and PI Sachin Hire. Authorities continue to follow up on all leads to ensure a thorough inquiry into the case.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/man-wanted-for-khopoli-murder-arrested-at-india-nepal-border-after-three-weeks-on-the-run