Vinod Kumar Gupta was arrested after running from the police for twenty-six years. He was caught in Siddharthnagar, a district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Gupta was accused of killing a man named Jigar Mahendra Mehta in 1999. Jigar was a powerloom factory owner in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. For many years, the police tried to find Gupta, but he managed to escape every time. After years of searching, a joint team from Maharashtra Police and the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force found him. They arrested him while he was living under a false name in a quiet village.
The murder of Jigar Mahendra Mehta was a very serious case. He was a well-known factory owner who worked hard and ran his business honestly. One night, his factory’s power was cut off on purpose. The criminals used this power cut to trick him. They told him to come and fix the problem at his factory. When he reached there late at night, the attackers were waiting. They kidnapped him and carried out their cruel plan. This terrible event shocked many people in Bhiwandi and made the police start a big investigation to catch the killers.
The attackers did not act alone. There were three people involved in this planned crime. Vinod Kumar Gupta was one of them. The others were Raju Mehta, who also went by the name Bishansingh Laxmansingh Sawat, and Kamlesh Ramlakhan Upadhyaya. These men waited inside the factory. When Jigar came, they attacked him. They beat him and gave him an injection to make him unconscious. Then, they took his gold chain, his ring, and some cash. After doing all this, they killed him. Later, they dumped his body outside the city, trying to hide what they had done.
Even though Jigar was already dead, the criminals made a fake ransom call. They called Jigar’s family from a public phone booth in Mumbai. They asked for ten lakh rupees and pretended he was still alive. They wanted to make more money from the family by lying. This cruel act hurt the family even more. The police took the ransom call seriously and started tracing the call. After some investigation, they realized it was a trick. This cruel plan showed how dangerous and greedy the attackers were. It made the case even more serious for the police.
Soon after the murder, one of the three accused men was caught. His name was Kamlesh Ramlakhan Upadhyaya. He was arrested in 1999, shortly after the crime took place. He was questioned by the police and gave some details about the case. But the other two, Vinod Kumar Gupta and Raju Mehta, ran away. They went into hiding and avoided getting caught. The police kept trying to find them but had no success for many years. With little information to go on, the case became cold, and the families were left waiting for justice.
Vinod Kumar Gupta managed to escape from Maharashtra and reached Uttar Pradesh. There, he changed his name and started a new life. He used the name “Vinod Kumar” and told everyone that he was a simple man. He settled in Parsahetim village, which is located in Dumriaganj, Siddharthnagar. He opened a small medical shop and began living quietly. He tried not to draw attention to himself. The villagers did not know about his past. He behaved like a normal citizen and even helped people with medicines. No one knew that he was hiding a dark secret for many years.
Over time, Gupta became comfortable in his new life. He thought that the police would never find him again. He believed that everyone had forgotten the case. He lived in peace for over two decades. But the police never gave up. They kept looking for clues and checking old records. A few months ago, they got a new lead. Someone gave them a tip about a man living in Siddharthnagar who looked like Gupta. The police took this seriously. They shared this tip with the Maharashtra Police, who then started a fresh search for him.
The Maharashtra Police worked with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force to catch Gupta. Together, they planned a quiet and careful operation. They watched Gupta’s shop and home to confirm his identity. After making sure it was really him, they moved in. He was arrested without any trouble. He did not fight back. When they told him the reason for the arrest, he remained silent. He knew his time had come. After years of hiding, he was finally caught. His arrest made news all over the country. People were shocked that he had hidden for so long.
The arrest of Vinod Kumar Gupta brought relief to Jigar Mahendra Mehta’s family. They had waited for justice for more than twenty years. The pain of losing a loved one never goes away. Every day, they hoped that the people who did this would be caught. Now that Gupta has been arrested, they feel that justice might finally be served. But the story is not over yet. One accused man, Raju Mehta, is still missing. The police are still looking for him. They hope that this arrest will help them find more clues and finally close the case.
The police are now checking Gupta’s background again. They want to know what he did during those twenty-six years. They are speaking to people who knew him in Siddharthnagar. They are also checking his bank records and phone calls. They want to see if he was in touch with Raju Mehta or anyone else involved in the crime. They believe there may be more people who helped him stay hidden. The police are asking people to come forward with any information. They want to finish this case completely and make sure everyone responsible is punished.
This case shows how some people try to run from justice, but the law always catches up. Gupta thought he could escape forever, but he was wrong. His arrest is a big achievement for the police. It shows their hard work and dedication. They never gave up, even after so many years. The joint work between two states also shows how important teamwork is in solving crimes. Maharashtra Police and Uttar Pradesh Police worked together with trust and care. This kind of teamwork is needed in many old and unsolved cases across the country.
The case has also reminded people how dangerous greed can be. The attackers killed Jigar Mahendra Mehta for money and jewelry. They wanted quick riches and did not care about human life. Their actions destroyed a family and changed many lives. Crimes like these remind us to be careful and to value life over money. The punishment of such criminals is important to keep society safe. People must understand that crime does not pay. Even if justice takes time, it will come. The truth will always be stronger than lies, and justice will win in the end.
Now that Gupta is in custody, he will be taken back to Maharashtra. There, he will face a proper trial in court. The police will present all the evidence collected over the years. The court will hear both sides and decide his punishment. This process may take time, but it is an important step. The victim’s family will be there to watch and wait. They hope the court gives Gupta the punishment he deserves. The trial will also help the police find more clues. It might even help them catch the third accused man who is still missing.
The police are also looking at other old cases to see if Gupta was involved. They believe that someone who could commit one serious crime might have done others too. They are checking the records from nearby towns and cities. If they find any link, new cases may be opened. People in Siddharthnagar who knew Gupta are shocked. They cannot believe that the kind man at the medical shop was a murder suspect. Many people are now coming forward to give statements. These stories will help the police understand Gupta’s life during his years in hiding.
This arrest also teaches police departments to keep trying in unsolved cases. Many cases are left unsolved because people think too much time has passed. But the story of Vinod Kumar Gupta shows that time cannot hide the truth forever. New technologies, better coordination between states, and new witness tips can help solve even the oldest crimes. Police must keep old files ready and keep searching. They must stay in touch with victims’ families and assure them that justice is still possible. The case of Jigar Mahendra Mehta is now an example for all law enforcement teams.
In India, dowry deaths, kidnappings, and murders still happen in many places. These crimes ruin families and damage communities. The police, government, and people must work together to stop such crimes. Educating people, creating strict laws, and providing support to victims’ families are very important steps. The arrest of Gupta is not just about one case. It is about justice for one family and safety for many others. It shows that no matter how far someone runs, they can still be caught. This is a message for every criminal trying to hide from the law.