In a major breakthrough, Delhi Police has arrested 65-year-old Natthu, a fugitive in the 1984 Ashok Kumar murder case, after 42 years of evasion.

  • 65-year-old Natthu arrested in UP after 42 years on the run.
  • The case dates back to the 1984 murder of Ashok Kumar in Vikaspuri.
  • The arrest was made by the Delhi Crime Branch in Hardoi district.
  • The accused had been living a low profile in wholesale vegetable markets.

The Delhi Police Crime Branch has successfully tracked down and arrested a 65-year-old man wanted in a decades-old murder case. The accused, identified as Natthu alias Natthulal, had been evading arrest for over 42 years in connection with the 1984 murder of Ashok Kumar. His arrest took place in Uttar Pradesh on August 18, marking a significant victory for investigators.

Historical Background

The incident traces back to the night of May 23, 1984, when the body of Ashok Kumar was discovered in a park in Vikaspuri, Delhi. The victim had sustained multiple knife wounds. While an accomplice, Bhabhuti Prashad, was arrested earlier and the murder weapon was recovered, Natthu managed to disappear, becoming one of the capital's long-standing fugitives.

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The Investigation Process

The successful apprehension was the result of months of meticulous groundwork by the Crime Branch. Investigators spent considerable time reviewing old case files and conducting field verifications across the Sitapur and Hardoi districts. After receiving intelligence that a man matching Natthu's description was seen in the Pali area of Hardoi, a surveillance team was deployed. He was finally apprehended while traveling from his village toward Farrukhabad.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this arrest highlights the evolving capabilities of investigative agencies to bridge the gap between cold cases and modern-day apprehension. Even as technology advances, the combination of traditional field intelligence and persistent record-checking remains vital in bringing long-term fugitives to justice.

The closure of a 42-year-old case sends a powerful message that the statute of limitations on justice does not exist.

According to police reports, the murder was allegedly motivated by a dispute involving sexual overtures made toward the wife of the co-accused. Natthu and Prashad, who were friends, allegedly consumed alcohol together before committing the crime. During his years as a fugitive, Natthu maintained a solitary lifestyle, working in various wholesale vegetable markets across Uttar Pradesh to avoid suspicion.

Did You Know?: Cold cases, like this 1984 murder, are often solved years later through a combination of new forensic technology and renewed witness intelligence.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where was the suspect arrested?
The suspect was arrested in the Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh.

2. What was the motive behind the 1984 murder?
The murder was allegedly triggered by a dispute following inappropriate behavior toward a co-accused's wife.