Bhubaneswar: After 22 years on the run, police on Monday arrested Biban Biswal, the prime accused in the sensational and high-profile Anjana Mishra gang rape case, from Pune in Maharashtra.
Biban's arrest was confirmed by the Commissioner of Police, Sudhansu Sarangi at a presser in Bhubaneswar.
The Police Commissioner said that Biban had hid himself at Aamby Vally in Pune by changing his name as Jalandhar Swain and was working there as a plumber. The development has been apprised to the CBI which is investigating the case, he added.
"We had launched an operation called- ‘Silent Viper' to nab Biswal. We have succeeded in our plan what the CBI could not do. His arrest is a remarkable achievement for Odisha police," Sarangi added.
Later, Biswal was produced before special CBI court amid tight security.
Biban along with his two associates had allegedly gang-raped Mishra, who was 29- then, inside her car on Bhubaneswar-Barang road on January 9, 1999 while she was travelling to Bhubaneswar along with his friend.
Two of the accused had been arrested barely 17 days after the incident. The duo had been convicted by District and Sessions Judge of Khurda and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, managed to evade arrest for the next 22 years until the Commissionerate police busted his hideout.
The incident which had created much hue and cry in the State, had a significant political repercussion in Odisha. Congress strongman and the then Chief Minister JB Patnaik and his friend former advocate General Indrajit Ray were accused of playing a role in the case. The incident created such a furore in political spectrum that Patnaik had to step down and Giridhar Gamang took over the reins from him.