Udupi: After evading law enforcement for nearly two decades, Naresh Kesrimalji Rawal, the prime accused in a brutal 2007 robbery and murder case in Surat, Gujarat, has been arrested in Udupi, Karnataka. The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Surat city conducted a meticulous undercover operation to nab the fugitive, who had been living under a false identity.
The 2007 crime that shook Surat
The case dates back to 2007 in Umra, Surat, where Rawal, then employed as a driver for a family whose sons lived abroad, plotted a deadly robbery. Exploiting his access to the house, he brought in his accomplice Ravi Pandey and tipped off partners-in-crime Vijay Gupta and Santosh Gupta.
On the day of the crime, the gang held the elderly couple hostage and murdered the security guard who tried to resist them. The accused escaped with gold ornaments and foreign currency worth over ₹2 lakh, leaving the family traumatised.
Police acted swiftly, arresting Vijay and Santosh Gupta, but Rawal and Pandey disappeared without a trace. The mastermind embarked on a long spree across Mumbai, Chennai, Belgaum, and Uttara Kannada, frequently changing his name and identity to avoid capture.
Arrest in Udupi after intelligence tip-off
With a Rs 45,000 reward announced for Rawal’s arrest, the case had gone cold until a recent intelligence tip revealed that he was residing in Udupi. Acting on this lead, SOG officers disguised themselves as South Indian traders, infiltrated the locality, and verified his identity.
Rawal had assumed the name Nirmal Kesrimalji Korawar, working as a marble labourer and driver while marrying a local woman from the Korawar community to blend in. Following days of careful surveillance, officers successfully arrested him, bringing a 19-year-old manhunt to a close.
Criminal history and ongoing investigation
Police investigations revealed that Rawal had prior cases registered in 2005 for housebreaking at Umra police station, highlighting his long criminal record. While Rawal has been apprehended, his accomplice Ravi Pandey remains at large, and the investigation is ongoing.
Surat city DCP Rajdeep Singh Nakum confirmed the arrest, stating, “The SOG team arrested a wanted accused carrying a reward of Rs 45,000. Our team tracked him down to Udupi, Karnataka, where he was finally apprehended. This marks the conclusion of a major long-standing investigation.”
Community response and law enforcement efforts
The arrest has been hailed as a significant victory for the Surat police, demonstrating effective coordination between intelligence gathering and covert operations. Law enforcement officials emphasised the importance of persistence and meticulous planning in resolving cases that have remained unsolved for years.
The apprehension of Rawal brings relief to the victim’s family, who had been waiting nearly two decades for justice. Authorities are working to extradite Rawal to Gujarat, where he will face trial for the 2007 murder and robbery case, along with other criminal charges linked to his earlier offences.