A woman serving a life sentence for the kidnapping and murder of a 10-year-old boy was arrested in Haridwar after allegedly evading authorities for nearly two decades by changing her name, moving between cities and adopting a new identity.
The woman, identified by police as Sadhana, was arrested on September 27 after investigators traced her to Haridwar. Police said she had been absconding since January 18, 2006, when she failed to return to prison after the expiry of an extended period of parole.
Sadhana was convicted in connection with a 1990 case registered at Adarsh Nagar police station involving the kidnapping and murder of a child. She was sentenced to life imprisonment.
According to police, the child went missing from Azadpur T-point on January 6, 1990. Witnesses reportedly told investigators that they had seen Sadhana holding the boy’s hand while crossing GT Road at around 5.30pm. She was subsequently arrested along with another accused, Raj Kumar, in Jahangir Puri.
Failed to return after parole
Sadhana had been lodged in Central Jail since January 9, 1990. She was released on parole on December 27, 2005, and the parole period was later extended by three weeks on medical grounds.
Police said she did not surrender when the extended period ended on January 18, 2006. Investigators subsequently began efforts to trace her.
According to police, she changed her name to Pooja and lived in several locations, including Delhi, Noida and Haridwar. She reportedly worked for a private company in Noida, where she met a carpenter named Keshav.
The two later lived in Mukundpur for about five years before moving to Haridwar. Police said she married Keshav at a temple and used his name as her husband in official documents.
Former associate helped investigators trace her
Investigators said information provided by a former associate helped them identify her whereabouts.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Harsh Indora, investigators initially contacted Raj Kumar while looking into Sadhana’s disappearance. He reportedly provided information about another man associated with her.
Police then traced that individual, who led investigators to Keshav. Technical surveillance was subsequently used to locate Keshav in Haridwar.
Investigators found that Keshav was living with Pooja, whom police identified as Sadhana. She was subsequently arrested on September 27, ending her nearly 20-year period of evasion.
