After evading the police dragnet for more than 21 years, a hardcore criminal owing his allegiance to the “Pardhi Gang” was finally arrested from a remote village in Jalna district by the central crime unit (CCU) attached to the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police on Thursday night. The accused who has been identified as- Baburao Anna Kale alias Baabya (55) along with his accomplices had committed an armed robbery at a bungalow in the Agashi area of Virar during the wee hours on 9, January, 2003.

While one of the gang members identified as-Rajesh Satyavan Pawar alias Suchinath was arrested in 2005, Baabya and two others had managed to remain absconding for the past 23 years. While re-investigating cold cases (that have not yet been fully resolved), a team led by police inspector Rahul Raakh and API Dattatray Sarak got crucial leads regarding Baabya’s presence at his native village in Jalna district. The team immediately left for Jalna and after a month-long relentless effort finally managed to apprehend Baabya from Walkhed village located in Partul taluka.

Investigations revealed his involvement in ten more similar cases committed by him between 2006 and 2021 in various parts of Jalna district and Aurangabad. With Baabya’s arrest, the police are hopeful to get information about the other two fugitives who were also involved in the crime.