Jharkhand: Palamu police arrest murder accused hiding in UP’s Jhansi in realtor killing case

THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK

Daltonganj, July 24: In a breakthrough in the murder case of realtor Vinit Tiwary, Palamu Police arrested a key accused who had been hiding in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi and brought him to Daltonganj on a transit remand, Superintendent of Police (SP) Kapil Chaudhary said on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Prashant Tiwary (26), a resident of Barkagaon village under Sadar police station limits in Palamu district, was produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody on Thursday.

Accused was living anonymously in Jhansi

Addressing a press briefing in Daltonganj, the SP said the accused had been living an anonymous life in Jhansi, surviving on a single meal a day to stretch his savings and remain in hiding for as long as possible.

According to the SP, Prashant led a spartan lifestyle, prioritising survival and anonymity over comfort in an attempt to evade arrest.

“He lived a completely isolated life, unrecognised and under the radar, although he had rented a room using his Aadhaar card,” Chaudhary said.

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Palamu Police tracked him through sustained surveillance

Police sources said the accused had no idea that a Palamu Police team had reached Jhansi and was tracking his movements.

The SP said the police team remained in Jhansi for several days before successfully apprehending him.

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“Our police team spent two to three days in Jhansi. We had his photograph and kept watch on him day and night before making the arrest,” Chaudhary said.

Sources said the accused’s use of social media platforms eventually helped investigators trace his whereabouts.

However, the SP declined to disclose operational details of the arrest.

“It was a very precise, well-planned and flawless operation,” he said.

One of five accused in realtor’s murder

According to the SP, Prashant Tiwary is a non-FIR accused in the murder of realtor Vinit Tiwary, who was allegedly strangled to death on the night of April 25, 2026.

“Prashant Tiwary is a non-FIR accused in the murder of realtor Vinit Tiwary, who was strangled to death on the night of April 25, 2026,” the SP said.

Police said five persons were allegedly involved in the murder, with Prashant being one of them.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted that he was under the influence of alcohol when the victim was strangled and dragged.

Police sources said Prashant realised the gravity of the crime only the following morning, but by then it was too late.

Search continues for prime accused

Police said the prime accused, Pradip Tiwary alias Mahakaal, has been absconding since the day of the murder.

The search is also on for two other accused, identified as Roshan and Rakesh.

With Prashant Tiwary’s arrest, the total number of arrests in the Vinit Tiwary murder case has risen to two, police said.