After over a decade on the run, Ghazipur police in Uttar Pradesh have finally arrested Prahlad Gond, a murder accused with a ₹50,000 bounty on his head. He had been evading authorities for 12 years, living under a fake identity in Maharashtra, complete with a forged Aadhaar card.

The Murder That Sparked a Manhunt

In a chilling incident that dates back 12 years, Anil Yadav, the Pradhan of Dahra Kalan village, was brutally stabbed to death. The crime was committed by Prahlad Gond and his brother Karmesh Gond, allegedly to avenge an earlier altercation involving their father, Surendra Gond.

Police records reveal that Anil and Surendra were once friends. But during a party involving chicken and liquor at Surendra’s home, a heated argument led Anil to slap Surendra. Humiliated, the family plotted revenge. Within days, Anil was lured to another party under the pretext of a fish feast, where he was repeatedly stabbed and killed.

Vanished Without a Trace

After the crime, both brothers disappeared, prompting police to file a case under the Gangster Act and issue ₹50,000 rewards for each of them. Despite repeated efforts, the accused remained elusive—until now.

Hiding in Plain Sight

Acting on a fresh lead, a joint team of the UP STF and Saidpur police traced Prahlad to Kalepadal, Thane (Maharashtra). There, he had assumed a new identity and even got a Maharashtra Aadhaar card to avoid suspicion.

The breakthrough came during a 15-day campaign targeting long-absconding criminals, when his name surfaced again. Acting swiftly, police raided his hideout in the Eknathapuram building, arrested him, and brought him back to Uttar Pradesh.

Back to Face Justice

Prahlad has since been produced in court and remanded to custody in Saidpur, where further interrogation is underway. Authorities are still searching for his brother, Karmesh, who remains at large.