The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has captured a life convict in a murder case who had been on the run for almost 24 years after escaping parole granted by the Delhi High Court in 2002. The convict, known as Rakesh Patel alias Pappi, had changed his identity to Nandlal Verma and was residing in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to avoid arrest.
Rakesh Patel was involved in a murder case at Jahangir Puri Police Station in Delhi where he, along with two others, brutally stabbed his neighbor over a minor dispute. He was convicted in 1995 under Sections 302 and 120-B of the IPC and sentenced to life imprisonment. The Crime Branch has been actively pursuing parole jumpers who failed to surrender after being released from Delhi jails.
Efforts to trace Rakesh Patel intensified after he was identified for targeted action. A specialized team, overseen by senior officers, was formed to locate him using technical surveillance, manual tracking, and repeated raids in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Following reliable information, the team apprehended him in Prayagraj.
Initially denying his real identity, Rakesh Patel eventually confessed to his involvement in the murder case after sustained interrogation and confrontation with case details. He revealed that he had jumped parole intentionally in 2002 and had been evading authorities for about 24 years by changing locations frequently before settling in Prayagraj.
The convict, who had started an auto spare parts business under his new identity, has been handed over to the jail authorities. This operation underscores Delhi Police’s dedication to tracking down absconding convicts and ensuring the enforcement of court-issued punishments.
