The Thane Central Unit of the Crime Branch has arrested Vinod Kumar Gupta (49), who had been absconding for 26 years in connection with the 1999 kidnapping, murder, and ransom of powerloom owner Jigar Mahendra Mehta. Gupta was tracked down in Uttar Pradesh and brought to Thane for further investigation.
Gupta, along with his associates Raju Mehta alias Bishansingh Sawant—still absconding—and Kamlesh Uppadhyay, planned the crime at Mehta’s powerloom factory in Bhiwandi. On the night of May 28, 1999, they cut off the factory’s electricity, lured Mehta to restore power, and subdued him using an injection. They stole his gold ornaments and cash, and Raju Mehta allegedly slit Mehta’s throat, killing him.
The accused then transported the victim’s body to farmland in Thakur Pada and demanded a ransom of Rs 10 lakh from the victim’s family through calls made from Mumbai, threatening to kill Mehta if the money was not paid.
Gupta, who was studying Electro-Homeopathy Medicine and Surgery at Jija Bai College, Bandra at the time, was reportedly lured into the crime by Raju Mehta with a promise of payment. Over the years, Gupta hid in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, even running a medical store.
After a long investigation using technical intelligence, the police located and apprehended Gupta on April 22. He was produced before a court that granted a three-day transit remand, and he was brought to Thane for further legal proceedings. The hunt continues for the other absconding accused, Raju Mehta.
