CBI arrests absconding accused in 2002 Garhwa Fort Idol theft and murder case after 23 years

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an absconding accused in the 2002 Garhwa Fort idol theft and murder case, marking a major breakthrough in one of the country's oldest heritage crime investigations.

The accused, Ramnarayan alias Hyder, was arrested on July 4 from Naseerpur village under Khakheru Police Station in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur district. He had been absconding for over two decades in connection with the dacoity, murder and theft of a priceless Buddha idol from the protected Garhwa Fort, an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) site in Prayagraj.

2002 Garhwa Fort Theft and Murder

The case dates back to the intervening night of April 21-22, 2002, when an 11-member gang allegedly led by Vijay Kumar Shukla carried out a dacoity at the historic Garhwa Fort.

According to the CBI, the gang allegedly murdered watchman Vinod Kumar Srivastava by assaulting and gagging him to death. Another watchman was overpowered before the accused broke open the store room and stole a valuable stone idol of Lord Buddha, which broke into two pieces during its removal.

The CBI took over the investigation from Uttar Pradesh Police and registered the case on September 9, 2003.

Idol Allegedly Sold, Exported Abroad

The investigation revealed that the stolen idol pieces were allegedly transported in a vehicle and sold by Vijay Kumar Shukla to two individuals for Rs 2.20 lakh.

The idol was later shifted to a godown in Mahipalpur, Delhi, before allegedly being exported abroad.

Following the investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet on December 22, 2005, against ten accused, including several who had remained absconding.

CBI's Hunt for Absconding Accused

The agency said it constituted dedicated teams, developed local intelligence, cultivated sources and carried out sustained surveillance to trace the absconding accused.

Earlier this year, Suraj Bhan and Ravi Karan were arrested on May 22 and June 2, respectively. The CBI also traced the alleged gang leader, Vijay Kumar Shukla, to Chitrakoot District Jail in connection with another Uttar Pradesh Police case and has initiated legal proceedings to secure his production.

With the arrest of Ramnarayan alias Hyder, the CBI has made another significant breakthrough in the 23-year-old case. The investigation is continuing.