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.