Pune: In a major breakthrough, Alephata Police arrested a fugitive accused in the Godhra Karsevak massacre case, who had been absconding after being released on parole.

The accused, Salim alias Salman Yusuf Jarda (55), was serving a life sentence but had escaped and continued criminal activities across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

Police also apprehended four other suspects, all residents of Godhra, Gujarat, involved in organized highway thefts. The arrests were made in the Aane village area of Junnar taluka, Pune district.

Highway Robbery: How the Crime Unfolded

According to Alephata Police, the investigation began after a highway robbery was reported on the morning of February 7 near an Indian Oil petrol pump in Aane village.

Complainant Somnath Narayan Gaikwad, a truck driver, had parked his vehicle and gone to sleep. His truck was carrying 165 tires from Bhiwandi to Solapur. During the night, thieves broke into the truck and stole goods worth ₹2.49 lakh.

Investigation Leads to Key Arrests

While investigating, police discovered similar theft cases in Nashik’s Manchar and Sinnar areas, where criminals would cut tarpaulin sheets covering parked trucks to steal cargo. Based on CCTV footage and mobile tracking, police suspected an organized gang from Godhra, Gujarat.

Further technical analysis led the police to Chandwad in Nashik district, where they traced the tempo used in the crime. The vehicle was seized, and the accused were arrested. During interrogation, they confessed to multiple thefts in Pune and Nashik districts.

Seized Items and Police Action

Police seized stolen goods worth ₹14.40 lakh, including the Eicher tempo used in the crime.

The successful operation was executed under the supervision of Pune Rural SP Pankaj Deshmukh, Additional SP Ramesh Chopde, and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Ravindra Choudhar. The police team included officers from Alephata Police Station, who played a crucial role in tracking down the criminals.

Main Accused is an Escaped Convict in the Godhra Massacre

Salim alias Salman Yusuf Jarda was one of the convicts in the Godhra karsevak burning case and was serving a life sentence. He had been released on parole eight times but never returned to prison. Instead, he formed a criminal gang specializing in highway thefts.

Police revealed that multiple cases were registered against Jarda in Pune, Nashik, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, confirming his interstate criminal network.