New Delhi, May 18 (IANS) The Delhi Police Crime Branch’s NDR unit on Monday arrested a wanted criminal who had been absconding since 2020 in connection with a brutal robbery and assault case in which the victim’s thumbs were allegedly chopped off, a police statement said.

According to a press release issued by the Crime Branch, the accused, identified as Brahamdev Bhagat, a resident of Purnia in Bihar, was arrested on May 17 in connection with FIR No. 109/2020 registered under Sections 342, 394, 397, 506, and 34 of the IPC at Dwarka Sector-23 Police Station.

Police said the accused had earlier been declared a Proclaimed Offender by a Delhi court on December 11, 2025. He was arrested under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

According to police, the incident dates back to March 17, 2020, when complainant Surinder Nanda, an event manager, received a phone call regarding the booking of a large party. Since he already had a medical appointment at Patel Nagar, he asked his manager, Kapil Chadha, to attend the meeting on his behalf.

Chadha contacted the caller and was asked to come to Dwarka for the meeting. Upon reaching there, the persons present allegedly insisted on meeting Nanda personally and asked Chadha to call him to the location.

Following the request, Nanda left Patel Nagar with his driver, Ramesh, in his Innova car and reached Sector-23, Dwarka, around 8 p.m. As he could not locate the exact address, a Maruti car approached and guided him to the meeting spot. Due to the darkness, he could not note the registration number of the vehicle.

Upon entering the premises, Nanda allegedly found Bhagat, who was previously his vegetable supplier, along with three associates waiting there. Police said the accused immediately began assaulting him with sticks and rods.

During the attack, one of the accused allegedly snatched a diamond ring from Nanda at knifepoint and robbed Rs 27,000 from his purse. Police said Bhagat also threatened to kill him and forcibly obtained his signature on documents related to payment of Rs 11 lakh towards alleged vegetable dues, which the victim claimed were not payable.

Police further stated that Bhagat later inflicted grievous injuries on Nanda by chopping off both his thumbs with a knife.

After committing the crime, the accused allegedly released Nanda and Chadha. Nanda later reached DDU Hospital, following which a police complaint was lodged and the FIR was registered on March 18, 2020.

During the investigation, local police had arrested three accused identified as Jitender, Amardeep, and Gautam. However, the main accused, Bhagat, remained absconding and allegedly kept changing locations to evade arrest.

A dedicated Crime Branch team led by SI Dipender, along with Head Constables Rajbir, Ram Niwas, Parmanand, and Kuldeep, and woman constable Gyanwati, under the supervision of Inspectors Yogesh and Vinod Yadav and ACP Umesh Barthwal, was assigned to trace the accused.

On May 15, police received specific information that Bhagat was hiding in Purnia. Acting on the tip-off, the team reached the location, laid a trap, and successfully apprehended him after sustained surveillance.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to his involvement in the crime. Police said further legal proceedings are underway.

–IANS

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