Sandeep, a 12-year-old boy from Mumbai’s Wadala, went missing on January 28. His parents, devastated by his disappearance, sought help from the police, but in vain. On March 4, police discovered his headless body in a forest and later identified a suspect, Bipul Shikari, who was seen with Sandeep on CCTV. Shikari, a convict who was released on parole during the pandemic, had a criminal history, including a murder in Kolkata. After his release, he fled and moved to Mumbai, where he murdered Sandeep. Mumbai police tracked him down to Delhi, where he was eventually arrested from GB Road.

Sandeep’s parents, who were fiercely protective of him when he was born 14 years after their marriage, were devastated when he disappeared. The police’s inability to find him left his father, a 49-year-old fisherman, and his 42-year-old mother in despair. They spent their days visiting police stations, hospitals and scouring the neighborhood.

On March 4, the family’s worst fears were confirmed when a decomposed, decapitated body was found in a forest area. The final confirmation came when the skull was recovered the next day. Bipul Shikari was identified as the suspect after he was seen on CCTV with Sandeep, where he was caught leaving the child in a taxi.

When news of the suspect and the police chase spread, Shikari’s neighbors picked him up and notified the police. Covered in mud and blood from the beating he had endured, Shikari asked the police for permission to clean up before being taken to the station. That was the last time he was seen for a while.

When Mumbai and Delhi police probed into Shikari’s background, they found that he had a criminal past and was a convicted felon. In April 2012, a teenage girl was found murdered on Durga Charan Mitra Street, Kolkata. Investigations revealed that Shikari had taken the victim to Sonagachhi before murdering her. He was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder.

During the Covid pandemic, Shikari and many other criminals were released on parole but did not return to jail. He was declared a fugitive on August 31, 2022. During his time on the run, Shikari left West Bengal for Mumbai where he did odd jobs before returning to crime. He abducted Sandeep with the help of a gang led by a transgender suspect and then murdered him. Shikari’s disappearance after Sandeep’s murder led to a technical probe. Mumbai Police suspected that he had fled to Delhi. They monitored the phones of his family members in the hope that he would contact them. The plan worked when Shikari used a co-passenger’s phone to call his mother while he was on his way to Delhi. Mumbai Police then alerted their counterparts in Delhi and neighbouring states. Early on Thursday morning, GB Road in central Delhi witnessed an unusual commotion. Police officers, many in plainclothes, waited for Shikari’s arrival after being tipped off.

Harsha Vardhan and Sachin Sharma, both deputy commissioners of police, were informed about the plan. A middle-aged man, unaware of the unusual activity, entered a kotha and came out 30 minutes later. When he realised that he was being followed, he tried to flee. Head constable Ankush and constable Shekhar chased him and arrested him in the crowded area with the help of curious bystanders.

Police confirmed that the person in custody was indeed Bipul Shikari, the wanted criminal on the list of Mumbai police. After his criminal activities in Kolkata and Mumbai, Shikari looked for a target in Delhi but was thwarted.

The operation was praised by Ravindra Yadav, the special commissioner (law and order). Shikari was arrested and the Mumbai police were informed. A team arrived in Delhi the following Friday to take him into custody.

Delhi Police have advised their counterparts in Mumbai to be extra vigilant in case Shikari wants to use the toilet on the way back to Mumbai.

(With input from TOI)