Nagpur: Ajni Police have arrested a notorious history-sheeter who had been absconding for nearly three years in connection with a murder case registered in 2023. The accused was apprehended following a tip-off after he reportedly returned to Nagpur to meet a friend.

The arrested accused has been identified as Rakesh alias Umashankar Prahlad Pali (35), a resident of Parvati Nagar near Rameshwari Square under the Ajni police jurisdiction. Police officials said Pali has an extensive criminal record and was wanted in the murder of another local history-sheeter that took place in January 2023.

According to police sources, the murder stemmed from an old rivalry between criminal groups. The victim, Vicky alias Ritesh Jaysingh Chandel, a known history-sheeter, was allegedly murdered in Parvati Nagar, an area under the Ajni Police Station limits. Since the incident, Pali had been on the run and was listed among the most wanted accused in the case.

Acting on specific intelligence, a team led by Senior Police Inspector Nitinchandra Rajkumar launched a special operation to trace and arrest the accused. Police received confidential information that Pali had returned to the area to meet an acquaintance. Acting swiftly, the team reached the location and successfully apprehended him.

During the investigation, police found that several criminal cases are pending against Pali. A theft case registered at Ajni Police Station is currently under trial, while another case registered under Section 142 in 2012 is also pending before the court.

Police records further revealed that Pali had previously been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case registered at Dhantoli Police Station. He was also wanted in a separate case registered under Section 224 at Ajni Police Station in 2023.

Officials stated that multiple criminal offences have been registered against the accused at various police stations across Nagpur city, highlighting his long-standing involvement in criminal activities.

Following the arrest, Ajni Police have initiated further legal proceedings and are continuing their investigation into the pending cases against the accused. Police officials said efforts are underway to verify his involvement in other criminal offences and to expedite legal action in the cases where he remains wanted.