New Delhi: After evading law enforcement for 16 years by repeatedly changing his identity and whereabouts, a 61-year-old murder convict has finally been arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch. Udaybir Singh, who was serving a life sentence in a murder and robbery case, was apprehended by the Inter-State Cell (ISC) team from the Masuri-Gulawathi Industrial Area in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. A reward of Rs 50,000 had been announced for information leading to his arrest.
How Did the 1997 Murder and Robbery Take Place?
According to Crime Branch DCP Aditya Gautam, the incident dates back to 1997, when three criminals carried out a crime in Bhera Enclave under the Paschim Vihar East police station area.
When two brothers attempted to chase the accused, the criminals attacked them. One of the brothers, Mandeep, was shot dead during the confrontation.
The accused subsequently robbed a passerby of his scooter at knifepoint and fled from the scene.
In 2001, a court sentenced all three accused, including Udaybir Singh, to life imprisonment for their involvement in the murder and robbery.
How Did the Convict Evade Police for 16 Years?
In 2010, following the death of his son, Udaybir Singh was granted parole for one month. However, he failed to return to prison after the expiry of his parole.
To avoid arrest, he reportedly sold his ancestral property and continuously changed his locations, making it difficult for investigating agencies to trace him.
According to police, two additional cases involving attempted murder and violations of the Arms Act were registered against him in 2021 at the Pilkhuwa police station in Hapur.
Secret Information Leads to Arrest in Hapur
The Crime Branch team had been tracking Udaybir Singh for the past three to four months. A breakthrough came after Head Constable Sonu Tomar received specific information about his whereabouts.
Acting on the intelligence, the team conducted an operation under the leadership of Inspector Manmeet Malik and the supervision of ACP Ramesh Lamba.
Sub-Inspectors Naresh Kumar, Rajiv Kumar and Sunil Panwar, along with Head Constables Sonu Tomar, Sunil Dhaka and Rajesh Kumar, participated in the operation.
The team successfully arrested Udaybir Singh on October 23, 2026, from the Masuri-Gulawathi Industrial Area in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh.
His arrest brings an end to a 16-year-long search for the life convict who had remained absconding after being released on parole.
