Pune, Feb 3 (PTI) – A 55-year-old life convict in the 2002 Godhra train carnage case, who had been on the run after jumping parole in September last year, was arrested in Maharashtra’s Pune district for his involvement in a theft case, police said on Monday.
Salim Zarda, who had previously absconded on eight occasions after being granted parole, was apprehended by Pune rural police on January 22. He was later handed over to Nashik police for a separate theft case registered there, officials confirmed.
Zarda was among the 31 individuals convicted for the Godhra train carnage, in which the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express was set ablaze on February 27, 2002, killing 59 people and sparking widespread riots in Gujarat. Initially sentenced to death, Zarda's punishment was later commuted to life imprisonment by the Gujarat High Court.
According to Inspector Dinesh Tayde of Alephata police station, Zarda was serving his sentence in a Gujarat prison before being granted a seven-day parole on September 17, 2024. However, he failed to return, continuing a pattern of parole violations.
Involvement in Thefts Across Maharashtra
Zarda and his gang were arrested last month in Pune for allegedly stealing 40 tyres worth over ₹2.49 lakh from a stationary truck on January 7. Further investigation revealed their connection to other thefts in the Manchar area of Pune and Sinnar in Nashik. Authorities recovered stolen goods and a tempo truck, valued at ₹14.4 lakh, from the gang.
"Zarda and his associates were operating in Pune and surrounding districts, carrying out thefts," Inspector Tayde stated.
Superintendent of Police, Pune Rural, Pankaj Deshmukh, confirmed that Zarda had been transferred to Nashik rural police in connection with a case at Sinnar police station. "We will seek his custody again for a theft case registered at Manchar police station," Deshmukh added.
Police Crack Down on Parole Jumpers
In response to Zarda’s case, Pune rural police have launched a crackdown on convicts who have violated parole and furlough provisions.
“We have initiated a drive to track down such individuals. Within two days, we will compile an exact figure of those who are out on parole and furlough and how many have violated these conditions,” SP Deshmukh said.
Parole is granted to prisoners for specific reasons with the condition of good behavior, while furlough is a periodic release that does not require a specific reason but remains conditional, another official explained.
Salim Zarda, who had previously absconded on eight occasions after being granted parole, was apprehended by Pune rural police on January 22. He was later handed over to Nashik police for a separate theft case registered there, officials confirmed.
Zarda was among the 31 individuals convicted for the Godhra train carnage, in which the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express was set ablaze on February 27, 2002, killing 59 people and sparking widespread riots in Gujarat. Initially sentenced to death, Zarda's punishment was later commuted to life imprisonment by the Gujarat High Court.
According to Inspector Dinesh Tayde of Alephata police station, Zarda was serving his sentence in a Gujarat prison before being granted a seven-day parole on September 17, 2024. However, he failed to return, continuing a pattern of parole violations.
Involvement in Thefts Across Maharashtra
Zarda and his gang were arrested last month in Pune for allegedly stealing 40 tyres worth over ₹2.49 lakh from a stationary truck on January 7. Further investigation revealed their connection to other thefts in the Manchar area of Pune and Sinnar in Nashik. Authorities recovered stolen goods and a tempo truck, valued at ₹14.4 lakh, from the gang.
"Zarda and his associates were operating in Pune and surrounding districts, carrying out thefts," Inspector Tayde stated.
Superintendent of Police, Pune Rural, Pankaj Deshmukh, confirmed that Zarda had been transferred to Nashik rural police in connection with a case at Sinnar police station. "We will seek his custody again for a theft case registered at Manchar police station," Deshmukh added.
Police Crack Down on Parole Jumpers
In response to Zarda’s case, Pune rural police have launched a crackdown on convicts who have violated parole and furlough provisions.
“We have initiated a drive to track down such individuals. Within two days, we will compile an exact figure of those who are out on parole and furlough and how many have violated these conditions,” SP Deshmukh said.
Parole is granted to prisoners for specific reasons with the condition of good behavior, while furlough is a periodic release that does not require a specific reason but remains conditional, another official explained.
