24 years on run, Rajasthan murder accused with Rs 5,000 bounty arrested in Gujarat

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested a 54-year-old man who had been absconding for 24 years in connection with a 2002 murder case in Rajasthan's Pali district. The accused, identified as Dinesh Desai, was arrested from Ahmedabad and had a Rs 5,000 reward announced for information leading to his capture.

Desai was wanted in the murder of Dalaram Nai, a resident of Dungli village Pali, Rajasthan. The murder was linked to a dispute over ancestral property.

Ahmedabad Crime Branch Inspector AP Jebaliya said the police received intelligence that Desai had been living in hiding with his family in Vejalpur for some time. Following the information, the Crime Branch traced and arrested him.ACCUSED HAD BEEN HIDING FOR 24 YEARS

According to Inspector Jebaliya, Dalaram Nai was murdered in 2002 by his cousin Ramesh Nai along with two other accomplices following a dispute over ancestral property.

Ramesh and one other accused were arrested shortly after the murder. However, Desai managed to flee and remained absconding for nearly 24 years.

After the murder, Desai initially went into hiding in his native village of Kankrej in Gujarat's Banaskantha district. He later moved to Gandhinagar, where he worked as a labourer.

For the past few years, Desai had been living secretly with his family in Ahmedabad's Vejalpur area, where he worked as a land broker. During this period, he frequently changed his residence and had shifted homes five to six times, according to the Crime Branch.

According to the FIR registered at Sadri police station in Pali in 2002, Desai, Ramesh and another accused had travelled to Pali to kill Dalaram.

Dalaram was riding a motorcycle when he was hit from behind, resulting in his death.

Ramesh and Dalaram were cousins and were involved in a dispute over ancestral property. Desai had travelled to Rajasthan to assist Ramesh because of their friendship, according to the FIR.

The Rajasthan Police had announced a reward of Rs 5,000 for Desai's capture as he remained at large after the murder.

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has now arrested Desai and is handing him over to the Rajasthan Police for further legal proceedings in the murder case.- EndsPublished By: Tanu jainPublished On: Sep 20, 2026 17:24 IST