Sanju, the 10,000 bounty criminal in the guise of a sadhu
The Women’s Police Station has arrested a man carrying a ₹10,000 reward, who had been absconding for seven years in a prostitution-related case. The accused, Sanju, was arrested from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, where he had allegedly been living near ashrams disguised as a sadhu to evade arrest.
A special police team carried out a raid on Thursday night and apprehended him. He is expected to be brought to Gwalior on Friday and produced before a court.
Case registered in 2019
The case dates back to 2019, when the Women’s Police Station recovered a missing girl. During counselling, the girl alleged that her mother had forcibly sent her to Sanju.
According to the complaint, the accused repeatedly raped her and also forced her into sexual exploitation by sending her to other men. Following her statement, the victim was shifted to a One Stop Centre, and a case was registered against Sanju and her mother under serious criminal charges.
Accused absconded after FIR
Police said Sanju fled after the FIR was registered. To avoid arrest, he allegedly disguised himself as a sadhu and began living in Mathura. As he remained absconding for several years, Gwalior Police announced a ₹10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Arrest made following tip-off
Police recently received information that the accused was hiding in Mathura while posing as a sadhu. Acting on the tip-off, a team from the Women’s Police Station travelled to Mathura and arrested him during a raid on Thursday night.
Police to investigate those who helped him evade arrest
Police officials said Sanju will be questioned to identify those who may have helped him remain absconding and to gather information about others connected to the case. Further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
