Pune: The prime accused in 1999 gang rape case of Bhubaneshwar involving the separated wife of an IFS officer was arrested from Aamby Valley of Lonavala in Maharashtra on Monday. The sensational incident that took place 22 years back had led to the resignation of the then Odisha Chief Minister Janaki Ballabh Patnaik after state witnessed a huge outrage.

Odisha Police Commissioner Sudhansu Sarangi informed that Biban alias Bibekanand Biswal, who was absconding for the last 22 years, was arrested from Aamby Vally in Lonavala, 90 km far from Pune.

According to the police, Biban had hidden in Aamby Vally in Pune by changing his name to Jalandhar Swain and was working there as a plumber. Sarangi said, "During the investigation, we came to know that the prime accused is residing at Aamby Valley in Lonavala on Mumbai-Pune road. He was working as a plumber and had changed his name to Jalandhar Swain. He had mentioned Naranpur in Cuttack as his permanent address. Investigation revealed that there is no Jalandhar Swain in Naranpur.”

An operation 'Silent Viper' was launched three months ago to nab the accused, the Commissioner informed. The accused will be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

WHAT IS THE EXACT CASE

Biban along with his two associates had allegedly gang-raped the victim inside her car on the Bhubaneswar-Barang road on January 9, 1999 while she was travelling to Bhubaneswar along with her friend.

She was gang-raped by three men, Pradip Sahoo, Dhirendra Mohanty and Biban Biswal in front of her friend. On January 26 that year, Pradip and Dhirendra were arrested following a complaint by the victim. In 2002, the Khordha District and Sessions Judge Court had sentenced the duo to life imprisonment involved in the case.

(With inputs from IANS)