Mumbai: Absconding for 36 years, man finally held in attempt to murder case

Rajesh Shaymlal Singh (second from left). Pic/By Special Arrangement

The Borivli police have arrested a 60-year-old man who had been absconding for 36 years after jumping bail in a 1990 attempt to murder case. The accused, Rajesh Shaymlal Singh, was traced to Gujarat and apprehended, enabling long-pending trial proceedings to resume.

Court action

. Multiple summons issued over the years, non-bailable warrant issued after repeated non-appearance
. Police directed to arrest and produce the accused

Search operation

The externment (tadipaar) department of Borivli police station launched a sustained search under the guidance of senior officers.
Lead officer: API Sagar Salunkhe
Tracking period: Approximately 1.5 years
"After the non-bailable warrant was issued, we visited his house but found it occupied by tenants. He and his family were no longer residing there," a police officer said.

Life in hiding

Police said Singh, a taxi driver by profession, lived in Hanuman Nagar before absconding.
. Got married after release on bail, has two children
. Initially remained in Mumbai, later fled to Gujarat

How cops tracked him

Investigators obtained contact details of Singh's family from tenants and began analysing call data records (CDR).
. Maintained sporadic contact with his son and would occasionally contact wife
. Mobile tracking led police to Umbergaon in Valsad district

Arrest details

A police team travelled to Gujarat and arrested Singh.
Team: API Sagar Salunkhe, PSI Nimbalkar, externment unit
Supervision: DCP Sandeep Jadhav (Zone 11), Senior Inspector Sachin Saste
What happens next
Singh will be produced before the court. Long pending proceedings to resume.

Case timeline

1990: Singh allegedly carried out a life-threatening assault in Borivali
Same year: Arrested from Hanuman Nagar, Kandivali; booked for attempt to murder
Post-arrest: Granted bail after a few months in jail
After bail: Failed to appear in court; absconded
Subsequent years: Multiple summons issued; non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued
2026: Arrested from Umbergaon, Valsad district, Gujarat

Background of the case

According to police, the 1990 assault was linked to an earlier attack on the brother of Singh's friend. When the friend sought his help, Singh allegedly attacked the victim and fled.

He was later arrested and booked for attempted murder. After securing bail, Singh failed to return for trial and remained untraceable for decades.