Fugitive Returns : Police Make Fifth Arrest In Bhopal Rape And Blackmailing Case

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The fifth accused in the high-profile rape and blackmailing case, identified as Nabeel, was arrested by Ashoka Garden police on Thursday morning. Acting on a tip-off, police apprehended Nabeel from his rented accommodation, where he had been hiding to evade arrest, officials said.

According to police, Nabeel originally hails from Bihar. After an FIR was registered against him and other accused in the case, he fled to West Bengal. His last known location was traced near Kolkata, prompting a police team to travel there in pursuit.

However, in an attempt to outsmart the police, Nabeel returned to Bhopal and went underground, assuming that law enforcement would continue to focus their search in Bihar and Bengal.

Vital information about Nabeel’s whereabouts was obtained during the interrogation of previously arrested accused Farhan and his associates. Acting on these clues, police tracked him down and arrested him.

Ashoka Garden police station in-charge Hemant Srivastava confirmed the arrest, stating that Nabeel's phone, laptop and other electronic devices have been seized. He will be presented before a court and taken on remand for further questioning regarding his involvement in the case.

Investigations so far have revealed that Nabeel was a student of the same college where main accused Farhan and the victims studied. While Nabeel himself did not sexually assault the girls, his rented room in Ashoka Garden was allegedly used by Farhan and others to exploit them.

Police also said they are closing in on the final absconding accused, Abrar, also a resident of Bihar. He fled after the FIRs were filed, and is likely to be arrested within the next couple of days.

It is worth noting that both Nabeel and Abrar were close associates of Farhan and allegedly provided their rented accommodations for the sexual exploitation of victims.

Earlier, police had arrested Farhan Khan, Sahil Khan, Ali, and Saad. Another accused, Hamid Raza of Bihar, had died by suicide after the FIRs were lodged.