Murder suspect, who was on the run for 21 years, apprehended in Bengaluru

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The Ennore police have arrested a murder accused, who was on the run for more than 21 years, following a sustained operation.

The police said that on May 24, 2004, one Mariyam Beevi informed the Ennore Police Station of her relative’s confession of murder.

Rajendran, alias Rafiq, told her that while he and his friend, Tajuddin, were consuming alcohol at his home in Indira Nagar, a quarrel broke out after Tajuddin spoke ill of his wife, Rasool Beevi. In a fit of rage, he slit Tajuddin’s throat, and left the body at the house. He asked her to take care of his wife.

Subsequently, Mariyam, who stayed at Periyamedu, rushed to Ennore. With the help of neighbours, she opened the house and found Tajuddin lying in a pool of blood with his throat slashed.

Based on her complaint, Ennore Police registered a case.

Despite extensive efforts, the accused could not be traced, and the case remained pending for 21 years.

While reviewing old case files, Avadi Police Commissioner K. Shankar instructed the subordinates to give special attention to this case. Subsequently, two special teams were formed under the leadership of Ennore Assistant Commissioner Veerakumar.

The investigation revealed the accused’s native place to be Aakkanur village in Cuddalore district. The police searched for his name on online voter lists, shortlisted eight people, and conducted discreet inquiries in those localities under the pretext of collecting details for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

It was discovered that Rajendran, alias Rafiq, was living in Aakkanur East Street and had converted to Islam after marriage. He had no permanent residence and stayed in several areas — Ariyalur, Jayankondam, Tiruchi, Perambalur, and Bengaluru, where he earned his livelihood by selling incense. He avoided using mobile phones fearing arrest, the police said.

The team also learnt that he often stayed at Ariyalur, Perambalur, and Jayankondam bus stands. Acting on this information, the special teams stayed at bus stands at night and interacted with the locals to trace him.

They later received a tip-off that he was living in Bengaluru. Subsequently, the team stayed there for a week, monitoring incense sellers across different areas, and finally traced him to the Madiwala Market.

Initially, the suspect gave a false name. But, further interrogation and verification of his Aadhaar card confirmed his identity. He then confessedto the murder, following which he was remanded in judicial custody.