Lalit, a 32‑year fugitive from Samastipur, Bihar, was taken into custody by the Delhi Crime Branch in Mangolpuri Phase‑2, Delhi, for the 1994 strangulation and robbery of two female priests at a Shakarpur ashram.
The murders were carried out by strangulation, after which the perpetrators looted cash, jewellery and other valuables from the ashram. Sunil Kumar, Dilip Ram and Sushil had earlier been arrested, but Lalit evaded capture and was declared a proclaimed offender on 26 October 1995.
Lalit had worked as a packaging labourer at several factories in Delhi since 2000, frequently changing jobs and residences to stay under the radar. He had lived under the same name for years while shifting between factories and residences, according to police records.
Crime Branch officials received intel that Lalit was present in Mangolpuri, verified his activities, raided the factory and used his Aadhaar card to confirm his identity. The Shakarpur police station was informed of his arrest and the case file has been forwarded to the court.
Aliased with Sections 302, 376 and 120-B of the IPC, Lalit will be charged with murder, kidnapping and theft. The Delhi Police plan to file the case within the next few days, with a preliminary hearing slated for early October. The case reopens a chapter of investigative work that had stalled for three decades.
Coworkers at the factory where Lalit was employed described him as a quiet, diligent worker who never spoke of his past. Their testimony may add depth to the investigation, offering insight into how a man who had led a hidden life could manage to deceive authorities for thirty‑two years.