Mumbai, July 15: The Mumbai police on Friday, July 12, arrested a gangrape accused who was living with a false identity for 22 years after his drinking session with a police informer led to him getting busted. The accused, a resident of Nalasopara, reportedly evaded arrest for over 2 decades. The incident came to light when the gang rape accused told the police informer about the case last month.

After being arrested, the accused confessed to his crime. According to a report in the Hindustan Times, the incident occurred in 2002 when a 24-year-old woman was allegedly kidnapped and gang-raped by four men. Following the incident, the victim approached the police and lodged a complaint. Thane Shocker: Man Booked for Raping 20-Year-Old Woman, Attempted Trafficking for Sale of Her Kidney in Maharashtra’s Nalasopara Area.

Back then, the police arrested two of the four accused three days after the victim provided the accused's description. However, the other two accused were at large and declared absconding. The arrested accused were sent to judicial custody. One of the absconding accused, named Michael, had reportedly changed his name to Vinod Kumar Pandey.

Police officials said that Michael was driving an auto rickshaw to earn his livelihood. Speaking about the accused's discovery, cops said Michael disclosed his crime to an informer while drinking. Post this, the informer alerted the police, who kept a vigil in Nalasopara to nab the accused. On July 12, Michael, aka Vinod Kumar Pandey, was spotted near Nalasopara station when he was trying to pick up passengers. Mumbai Shocker: Man Attacks His Wife With Knife on Virar Railway Station Bridge, Bystanders Save Her; Arrested.

The police intercepted Michael and arrested him. During interrogation, the accused confessed to being part of the gang rape incident. Meanwhile, the police have launched a manhunt to nab the fourth accused in connection with the 2002 gang rape case.

Women and Child Helpline Numbers:

Childline India – 1098; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women / Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/ 1291; Missing Child and Women – 1094.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2024 08:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).