Surat police have arrested Santosh Pradhan from Bhimshakti Nagar in Ganjam district, Odisha, nearly 17 years after he allegedly murdered his sister’s lover in 2008.

The crime occurred when Santosh, angered by his sister’s romantic involvement with a factory colleague in Surat, conspired with friends to kill the young man before fleeing the city. While three of his accomplices were arrested at the time, Santosh and two others remained at large for years.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai said tracking Santosh was difficult due to his frequent relocation and work as a labourer. Using sustained efforts, human intelligence, and technical surveillance, police finally located and apprehended him in Ganjam.

With the prime accused now in custody, the long-pending case is nearing closure. Authorities said the investigation underscores the challenges of tracing fugitives across states while highlighting the role of modern investigative methods in solving decades-old crimes.