Fugitive's Capture: Upendra Pandey's Arrest in Gujarat

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has apprehended a fugitive prisoner, Upendra Pandey, who had been on the run for over two years after escaping from Deoria district jail. Pandey, accused under the POCSO Act for involvement in a rape case, was finally captured in Surat, Gujarat.

Officials detailed that Pandey, originating from Baraipur village in the Rampur Factory area, initially managed to escape custody on December 29, 2022. His disappearance prompted a prolonged search operation by authorities.

The STF field unit from Varanasi successfully tracked and arrested him on August 13 near Shiv Shakti Nagar Society in Surat. Following his capture, Pandey was returned to Deoria on a transit remand, in accordance with the ruling court's orders, resuming his sentence in the district jail.

(With inputs from agencies.)