In a surprising turn of events, police in Karnataka, a southern Indian state, have arrested a 78-year-old man, Ganapati Vitthal Wagore, for an alleged buffalo theft that occurred in 1965 when he was just 20 years old. Alongside another man, Krishna Chander, they were accused of stealing two buffaloes and a calf.
The incident, which took place in Bidar district, Karnataka, resulted in the arrest of both men. After they were granted conditional bail, they disappeared and could not be traced. Unfortunately, Krishna Chander passed away in 2006.
The case remained unsolved for decades until a recent review of old pending investigations prompted a police team to make a final attempt to locate the two men. While the crime happened in Bidar district, both Wagore and Krishna Chander were arrested from different villages in neighboring Maharashtra state.
Upon their initial arrest, Wagore and Krishna Chander had confessed to the theft, leading to their court appearance and subsequent release on conditional bail. However, they failed to respond to summons and warrants after their release.
Last month, the case was reopened, and police inquiries led them to Umarga village in Maharashtra. An elderly resident there provided a vital clue by mentioning that Wagore was alive and directed the police to Thakalagaon village in Nanded district, Maharashtra.
In Thakalagaon village, residents confirmed Wagore’s presence, living in a local temple. Wagore admitted his identity to the police, explaining that fear had kept him from appearing in court.
He was brought back to Karnataka and presented before the court, where he received legal representation from the pro bono services of the Legal Aid Society. The court released him on bail due to his advanced age. This extraordinary case serves as a reminder of the enduring nature of justice and the persistence of the law.
