Death row convict absconding since 2013 in sensational 1994 hotel murder case in Ahmedabad nabbed

Convict had allegedly beheaded textile trader inside Ahmedabad hotel and carried severed head in a bag to Adalaj

In a major breakthrough, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested a death row convict who had been absconding for more than a decade after jumping parole in a sensational murder and robbery case dating back to 1994.

The accused, identified as Satish Himatlal Rupa Reliya, also known by the aliases 'Bhikhu' and 'Sanjay Thakkar', had been convicted in the gruesome murder of a textile trader at Neelam Hotel in Ahmedabad nearly three decades ago.

The convict had remained on the run since 2013 after failing to surrender before jail authorities following his temporary release on parole. Investigators said he continuously changed locations and allegedly used multiple fake identities to evade arrest for over 13 years.

The 1994 murder case

Police said the accused was the prime convict in a case in which he was sentenced to death by an Additional City Sessions Court in Ahmedabad in April 2000 under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Bombay Police Act for murder, robbery and criminal conspiracy.

The case stemmed from a chilling incident reported on October 22, 1994, when a textile trader, identified as Arvind Shah, was allegedly lured to Neelam Hotel under the pretext of a discounted business deal.

During the course of the crime, the accused allegedly robbed the trader of cash and gold ornaments before murdering him inside the hotel room. Investigators had stated during the trial that the victim was subsequently beheaded in an attempt to conceal his identity.

According to Crime Branch officials, the severed head was allegedly packed inside a bag and transported to Adalaj in an effort to destroy evidence and mislead investigators.

The brutal nature of the crime had sent shockwaves across Ahmedabad at the time and the case later emerged as one of the city’s most sensational murder investigations of the 1990s.

Parole jump and years underground

After his conviction and imprisonment, Satish Reliya was granted parole. However, in 2013, he allegedly violated the conditions of his release and failed to return to custody upon completion of the parole period.

Police said that during his years underground, the convict carefully avoided law enforcement agencies by frequently changing residences and blending into different communities under assumed identities.

Officials added that despite repeated efforts over the years, the accused had managed to remain elusive due to the absence of a fixed address and his deliberate attempts to avoid detection.

Crime Branch operation

The breakthrough came after the Crime Branch formed a dedicated tracking team to trace the fugitive convict. Using intelligence inputs, technical surveillance and sustained field operations, officers were able to identify his hideout.

In a carefully planned operation, the Crime Branch team surrounded the location and apprehended the accused without any untoward incident, officials said.

With the arrest, authorities have effectively brought to an end the convict’s prolonged period of absconding spanning more than a decade.

Police said the necessary legal formalities have been completed and the accused is being sent back to judicial custody for execution of the sentence awarded by the court.