01 August,2026 10:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Police used technical surveillance to trace the accused to Nerul. A trap was laid, and he was apprehended from his residence around 11.30 am on Saturday. PIC/MUMBAI POLICE
Mumbai Police have arrested a proclaimed offender who had been evading arrest for 26 years in connection with a robbery case registered in 2000.
The accused, identified as Sunil Ashok Mali, was wanted in connection with a case registered under Sections 394 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He had repeatedly remained absent during court proceedings before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Bandra East, following which the court issued a proclamation against him on May 5, 2022.
According to Khar Police, Mali had remained absconding for several years, staying out of the reach of the police and the court.
During a drive to trace absconding accused, the Special Surveillance and Externment Squad of Khar Police visited the accused's last known address in Sion. However, the chawl where he had previously resided had been demolished, and officers were unable to gather any information about his current whereabouts.
Police then used technical surveillance to trace him to Nerul in Navi Mumbai. A trap was laid, and the accused was apprehended from his residence at around 11.30 am on Saturday, police said.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Senior Police Inspector Santosh Kate and Police Inspector Sachin Wagh by the Special Surveillance and Externment Squad led by Police Sub-Inspector Dinesh Patil, along with other police personnel.
Police have arrested a history-sheeter for a botched robbery at a jewellery store in Maharashtra's Palghar district, where he threatened the shop owner using a plastic revolver, an official said on Tuesday.
The accused, Kannan Murugesh Thevar, was arrested within 48 hours of the crime, which took place in Nalasopara on the afternoon of June 25, the official said.
Thevar and his accomplice entered the jewellery shop in Nagindas Pada, Nalasopara East and threatened the owner with a plastic revolver in an attempt to steal gold jewellery, he added.
The police zeroed in on the accused within 48 hours of the crime and apprehended Thevar at Wadala in neighbouring Mumbai, the official said.
A probe revealed that Thevar is a habitual offender and was previously charged with robbery and booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), he said.
