In a significant breakthrough, the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate has arrested fugitive undertrial prisoner Madhukanta Kumar Rana alias Singh, four months after he dramatically escaped from the high-security Choudwar Circle Jail along with another inmate.
Commissioner of Police Dr Suresh Dev Datta Singh personally revealed key details today:
“Madhukant Rana was hiding under the fake name Basu Pandey and was working in a guest house of an ashram in Vrindavan. He has been arrested from there.”
How the Escape Happened
Rana (24), a resident of Rampur in Bihar’s Saran District, was lodged in Choudwar Circle Jail since 1 February 2025 in connection with a dacoity-cum-murder case (Panikoili PS Case No. 07/2025).
On the intervening night of 2–3 October 2025, Rana and his co-accused Subham alias Raja Sahani scaled the jail boundary wall and escaped. According to the CP, the duo first fled to Puri. The very next day, they successfully boarded a train and left Odisha.
A case was registered at Choudwar PS (Case No. 594 dated 03.10.2025 u/s 262/3(5) BNS) and a massive manhunt was launched.
The Four-Month Manhunt
Six special teams comprising 26 police personnel were formed. These teams conducted raids and verifications in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Nagaland and several other states. The fugitives frequently changed locations, identities and occupations and completely avoided electronic traceability.
The Dramatic Arrest in Vrindavan
Acting on specific intelligence that pointed to Uttar Pradesh, a team from Cuttack Urban Police District reached Vrindavan. In coordination with Kotwali Police Station, Vrindavan, they zeroed in on a guest house attached to an ashram.
Rana was living and working there under the alias Basu Pandey, mingling with devotees. An undercover officer was sent as a guest, while the rest of the team maintained discreet surveillance. When the accused himself escorted the decoy officer to the room, his identity was confirmed. He was arrested on 13 February following all legal procedures under BNSS. Transit remand has been obtained to bring him back to Cuttack.
Ongoing Search & Warning
The search for the second escapee, Raja Sahani, is still continuing.
Commissioner of Police Dr Suresh Dev Datta Singh warned: “If any person is found to have provided shelter or assistance to the fugitives, strict legal action will be taken against them.”
Special Team
The operation was led by Addl DCP Khirasagar Nayak, ACPs Arun Kumar Swain & Ananya Awasthi, Inspector Rashmita Jena (Cyber & EO), Inspector Rajanikanta Das (Choudwar PS) and 21 other officers and men. Valuable support came from Bihar STF and Mathura Police.
The successful arrest has been described as a result of persistent intelligence, meticulous planning and excellent interstate coordination under the guidance of the DGP, Odisha. Further investigation is in progress.
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