Surat police arrests absconding Odisha man in double murder case

The Surat Police has arrested a fugitive accused of a double murder case, after four years of evading the law. The accused has been identified as Kuna, alias Kunal Nakul Swain, a resident of Odisha, police said.

Kuna, aka Kunal, was initially arrested in 2017 in connection with a double murder case registered in Surat. In January 2022, he was granted interim bail on the pretext of his marriage. However, instead of surrendering after the bail period ended, he went absconding, prompting police to launch a manhunt.

During his time on the run, the accused allegedly changed his identity and moved to Delhi, where he posed as a plumber to avoid detection. Police sources said he later returned to Surat and began working secretly, believing he had escaped the attention of law enforcement.

Following specific intelligence inputs, the Surat Crime Branch tracked his movements and conducted a targeted operation to apprehend him. The accused was arrested without incident and has been taken into custody for further investigation.

Reportedly, Gujarat Police have launched a special operation to apprehend accused persons who went absconding after the expiry of their interim bail period. Under the operation, around 200 to 300 absconders have been arrested across the state so far.

The accused in this case is alleged to have murdered two of his roommates by slitting their throats. He was immediately arrested following the crime. However, after being granted interim bail for his marriage, the accused failed to return to jail and went absconding, prompting police to intensify efforts to track such fugitives.