Palghar, Maharashtra: A 60-year-old man, wanted in a 2005 dacoity case, was arrested by Palghar police after being on the run for two decades.

The crime occurred in March 2005 when a gang of over a dozen dacoits stormed into a man’s office in Ambatpada, Vasai, in Palghar district. They held the victim at knifepoint, stealing Rs 43,000 in cash, a mobile phone, and firearms, including a rifle and a pistol.

Following the robbery, the police filed a First Information Report (FIR) under sections 395 (dacoity) and 397 (robbery or dacoity with intent to cause grievous harm) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with relevant sections of the Arms Act.

Over the years, the authorities have arrested 18 individuals connected to the crime, though three suspects remained at large, one of whom has since died.

Recently, the police received a tip-off about the whereabouts of one of the remaining fugitives. Acting on the information, a police team tracked down the accused, identified as Deu Janya Chimada, in Khanvel, a part of the neighboring Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. He was arrested on Tuesday, confirmed an official without giving further details. The investigation into the case is ongoing.