Highlights

  • Godhra convict caught in theft.
  • Arrested in Pune theft case.
  • Items worth ₹14.4 lakh recovered.

Latest news

India's cricket dilemma: KL Rahul vs. Rishabh Pant in ODIs

India's cricket dilemma: KL Rahul vs. Rishabh Pant in ODIs

Saudi Arabia Restricts Children from 2025 Hajj Pilgrimage

Saudi Arabia Restricts Children from 2025 Hajj Pilgrimage

BJP urges Delhi LG to restore 'Sheesh Mahal' to Its original state; expedite probe into violations

BJP urges Delhi LG to restore 'Sheesh Mahal' to Its original state; expedite probe into violations

Jasprit Bumrah's fitness woes concern Indian team ahead of 2025 Champions Trophy

Jasprit Bumrah's fitness woes concern Indian team ahead of 2025 Champions Trophy

Gold surges Rs 2,430 to hit lifetime high of Rs 88,500 per 10g amid Trump's tariff threats

Gold surges Rs 2,430 to hit lifetime high of Rs 88,500 per 10g amid Trump's tariff threats

Budget politically driven with Delhi polls in mind: P Chidambaram

Budget politically driven with Delhi polls in mind: P Chidambaram

Rohit Sharma shines with 119, sets ODI milestones against England

Rohit Sharma shines with 119, sets ODI milestones against England

Trump Renames Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America'

Trump Renames Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America'

Godhra convict Salim Zarda arrested in Pune for theft after jumping parole

Salim Zarda, convicted for the 2002 Godhra train attack, was caught by Pune police for stealing truck tyres and tubes. Zarda led a gang in similar thefts across Maharashtra, with stolen goods worth ₹14.4 lakh recovered. He's known for his criminal past.

Godhra convict Salim Zarda arrested in Pune for theft after jumping parole

Salim alias Salman Yusif Zarda, a life-term convict in the 2002 Godhra train carnage, was arrested by Pune rural police in connection with a truck theft case.

Pune rural police have arrested Salim alias Salman Yusif Zarda (55), a convicted life-term prisoner in the 2002 Godhra train carnage, who had been on the run since jumping parole in September 2023. Zarda was apprehended in Pune’s Junnar area for his involvement in a truck tyre and tube theft worth ₹2.49 lakh.

How Zarda Was Caught
According to police reports, truck driver Somnath Gaikwad (30) of Solapur filed an FIR at Alephata police station after discovering that tyres and tubes had been stolen from his vehicle in the early hours of January 7.

During investigations, police found similar cases of truck lootings reported at Manchar police station (Pune) and Sinnar police station (Nashik). Further probes linked the crimes to an inter-state gang operating out of Godhra, Gujarat.

Acting on technical clues, Pune rural police tracked and arrested a five-member gang from Nashik on January 22.

Godhra Convict Turned Gang Leader
Among those arrested was Salim Zarda, alongside his aides:

Sahil Pathan (21)
Sufiyan Chanaki (23)
Ayub Sunthiya (29)
Irfan Durvesh (41)
All suspects hail from Godhra, Gujarat. Police recovered a tempo truck and other stolen goods worth ₹14.4 lakh from the gang.

After interrogation, the Pune rural police handed over the accused to Sinnar police in Nashik for further investigation into related theft cases.

Zarda’s Criminal Record & Past Parole Jumps

Police inspector Dinesh Tayade of Alephata police station confirmed that Zarda was among the 31 convicts in the 2002 Godhra train carnage case.

Initially sentenced to death, his punishment was later commuted to life imprisonment by the Gujarat High Court.
He had jumped parole eight times in the past.
Over the years, Zarda formed a criminal gang involved in thefts across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.
He has been named in 16 different criminal cases spanning multiple states.


Previous Arrest in 2023

Zarda had previously jumped parole in October 2022, only to be caught in January 2023 by Gujarat police for robbing a godown in Narmada district. However, despite being re-arrested, he managed to evade law enforcement again, leading to his recent capture in Pune.

With his latest arrest, authorities are expected to tighten legal proceedings against him to prevent further parole violations.

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

Godhra convict Salim Zarda arrested in Pune for theft after jumping parole

Godhra convict Salim Zarda arrested in Pune for theft after jumping parole

Budget politically driven with Delhi polls in mind: P Chidambaram

Budget politically driven with Delhi polls in mind: P Chidambaram

Congress' Sukhjinder Randhawa predicts mid-term polls in Punjab amid AAP crisis

Congress' Sukhjinder Randhawa predicts mid-term polls in Punjab amid AAP crisis

Investigation underway after bomb threat on IndiGo flight in India

Investigation underway after bomb threat on IndiGo flight in India

'Unforgettable moment' Uttarakhand CM Dhami takes holy dip in Sangam with family

'Unforgettable moment' Uttarakhand CM Dhami takes holy dip in Sangam with family

Ranveer Allahbadia faces legal heat over obscene claims

Ranveer Allahbadia faces legal heat over obscene claims

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis meets Raj Thackeray amid political speculations

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis meets Raj Thackeray amid political speculations

Kejriwal to meet Punjab MLAs, CM Mann on Tuesday amid speculation of dissent

Kejriwal to meet Punjab MLAs, CM Mann on Tuesday amid speculation of dissent

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025: PM Modi shares key exam tips with students

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025: PM Modi shares key exam tips with students

Massive 300-km traffic jam strands pilgrims heading to Maha Kumbh

Massive 300-km traffic jam strands pilgrims heading to Maha Kumbh

Indore woman dies of sudden heart attack while dancing at wedding in Vidisha

Indore woman dies of sudden heart attack while dancing at wedding in Vidisha

Akhilesh Yadav slams UP Govt over Maha Kumbh traffic chaos, calls for better management

Akhilesh Yadav slams UP Govt over Maha Kumbh traffic chaos, calls for better management

Punjab Vidhan Sabha goes paperless with the launch of NeVA, says Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan

Punjab Vidhan Sabha goes paperless with the launch of NeVA, says Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan

PM Modi's US visit aims to strengthen Indo-US strategic ties, boost AI collaboration in France

PM Modi's US visit aims to strengthen Indo-US strategic ties, boost AI collaboration in France

Country’s biggest & longest walk in Aviary Centre of attraction at Punjab's Chhatbir Zoo

Country’s biggest & longest walk in Aviary Centre of attraction at Punjab's Chhatbir Zoo

PM Modi's France visit: AI summit & strategic talks with Emmanuel Macron

PM Modi's France visit: AI summit & strategic talks with Emmanuel Macron

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.