Investigation reveals how CBI tracked fugitive linked to Abhijit Sarkar murder

The Central Bureau of Investigation disclosed that its recent apprehension of Arup "Bapi" Das in Guwahati was the result of an intensive intelligence drive. Das is a key suspect in the 2021 murder of West Bengal political figure Abhijit Sarkar, an act that unfolded amid post‑election unrest.

Since the filing of the murder case in 2021, Das has remained elusive, avoiding all summonses and refusing to appear before the trial court. The CBI’s strategy involved rewarding informants with a ₹50,000 cash incentive, which eventually yielded actionable leads.

Leveraging both human sources on the ground and sophisticated technical surveillance, investigators traced Das’s movements and coordinated a swift operation that culminated in his arrest. He is slated to be extradited to Kolkata, where the City Sessions Court will receive him on Friday.

Abhijit Sarkar’s killing on May 2, 2021, in the Shital Talla lane, was one of several violent episodes that erupted after the state’s legislative elections. The Calcutta High Court assigned the case to the CBI in August 2021, prompting a series of legal filings that included four charge sheets covering 38 accused individuals under various IPC provisions.