Surat Crime Branch has successfully captured Bhupat Ahir, one of Gujarat's most wanted criminals, in an undercover operation in Mumbai. Known for his multiple disguises and his ability to elude the authorities, Ahir had been on the run for the past ten months after allegedly murdering a diamond merchant in Surat.
The 56-year-old felon, who began his life of crime at the tender age of 12, has been implicated in more than 35 severe offenses, including murder, dacoity, kidnapping, assault, and extortion. He had previously fired upon police during an attempted apprehension, adding another layer of complexity to his capture.
The covert operation, lasting four days, saw Surat Crime Branch officers masquerading as foreign tourists, complete with funky shoes, Bermuda shorts, and clean-shaven faces. This creative disguise allowed them to approach the fugitive without arousing suspicion.
Upon locating Ahir, officers initially struggled to confirm his identity due to his drastic weight loss of 10 kilograms and the transformation of his hair color from white to black. However, once his identity was verified, PSI Vishal Dhangar managed to apprehend the notorious criminal in Borivali, Mumbai.
The arrest brought an end to the relentless pursuit that had seen Surat Crime Branch teams scour various states, including Rajasthan and Bihar, without success. News of Ahir's presence in Mumbai led to the formation of special teams and the implementation of the covert operation that ultimately resulted in his capture.
The crime that finally led to Ahir's downfall occurred on September 13, 2022, when diamond trader Pravinbhai Bhikhabhai Nakum was found murdered in his own office. Nakum had been bound with a lace belt and killed by a blow to the head from an iron pipe. Following the crime, diamonds and cash worth about three lakh rupees were stolen.
The investigation into Nakum's murder revealed that a local diamond dealer, Girishbhai alias Gaurav Dahyabhai Nakum, had tipped off Ahir about the diamonds and cash in Nakum's office. This prompted Ahir to carry out the robbery, in which he evaded police.
P.I. Lalit Vegadia of the Surat Crime Branch shared that their team had been working tirelessly for the past ten months to apprehend Ahir. His arrest brings a sense of closure to the team and provides hope for safer streets in Surat and Mumbai alike.
