Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Gujarat Police Arrest Madhya Pradesh Man After 31 Years
Police in Gujarat arrested Pratap Bhuriya after searching for him for 31 years.
He is accused in a 1996 robbery case in Vapi.
Police say four men entered a home at night and threatened people with sticks and knives.
The group allegedly stole money and gold jewellery from the home and a shop.
Seven people connected to the case had already been arrested.
Bhuriya was one of two people who were still wanted.
Police found that he worked as an agricultural labourer and often moved between places.
Informers helped police locate him at a farm in Rajkot district.
He was then sent to Vapi Town Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Pratap Bhuriya, 60, was arrested in Rajkot district after 31 years as a robbery suspect.
The case concerns a November 27, 1996, armed robbery in Vapi, Gujarat.
Police allege four men stole cash and gold jewellery from a house and shop.
Seven accused were previously arrested, while Bhuriya and one other suspect remained wanted.
Valsad District Local Crime Branch traced Bhuriya through informers, technical analysis and human intelligence.
- Who
- Pratap Bhuriya, a 60-year-old man originally from Alirajpur district in Madhya Pradesh, was arrested by the Valsad District Local Crime Branch.
- What
- He was arrested in connection with a 1996 robbery case registered at Vapi Town Police Station.
- When
- The alleged robbery occurred on November 27, 1996; Bhuriya was arrested after 31 years, according to police.
- Where
- He was arrested at a farm in Khatli village, Jamkandorna, in Gujarat’s Rajkot district; the case was registered in Vapi.
- Why
- Police said he was wanted for allegedly participating in an armed robbery involving cash and gold jewellery.
- Accused
- Pratap Bhuriya, 60
- Original location
- Bokdiya village, Alirajpur district, Madhya Pradesh
- Case date
- November 27, 1996
- Police station
- Vapi Town Police Station
- Legal provisions
- Sections 392 and 395 of the Indian Penal Code
- Arrest location
- A farm in Khatli village, Jamkandorna, Rajkot district
- Investigation
- The Valsad District Local Crime Branch worked on the case for around three months before the arrest