Anjana Mishra Gangrape: Here’s How Odisha Police Traced & Trapped Main Accused After 22 Years

Bhubaneswar: After 22 long years, the Odisha police finally managed to nab Bibekananda Biswal alias Biban, the prime accused in the sensational Anjana Mishra gangrape case.

Briefing the media on Monday, Commissioner of Police (CP) Sudhanshu Sarangi said that the operation ‘Silent Viper’ to arrest him was launched three months ago.

Operation Silent Viper

A five-member team led by Sudhanshu Sarangi conducted the operation. The team also comprised DCP Prateek Singh, Additional DCP Pramod Rath, Inspector, Special Squad Ajay Das and IIC of Barang police station Sashikant Rout.

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Prime Accused Traced

Sarangi said in course of the investigation, police found that Biban was staying at Aambi Valley in Lonavala on Mumbai-Pune road. He was working in a company as a plumber and changed his name to Jalandhar Swain.

Police also found that although the accused had changed his name, he had mentioned his native village Naranpur in Kendrapada district as his permanent address. But the police found that there was no person in the name of Jalandhar Swain in Naranpur village.

“Although Biban did not visit his village, he had tactfully remained in contact with his family members and used to send them money at regular intervals. Even he had told his family members to bring out a death certificate in his name. But the family members could not succeed in their attempt,” he added.

Also Read: ‘Hang Biban Till Death’: Anjana Mishra Reacts To Arrest Of Odisha Ganagrape Accused

Biban’s Arrest

With no doubt remaining that Jalandhar Swain is none else than Biban, police formed a team led by the IIC of Badambadi Police Station, Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra.

The team took a flight to Mumbai on the night of February 19. Once there, the Odisha Police team contacted the Police Commissioner of Navi Mumbai, Bipin Singh. The latter formed a team led by the DCP of Navi Mumbai, Pravin Kumar Patil. This team went to Aambi Valley and arrested Biban.

Witness Identification

Sarangi said after the accused was brought to Bhubaneswar, he was identified as Biban by some witnesses.

He said the following information, CBI officials have arrived in Bhubaneswar. “As the CBI had taken up the investigation, the case will be handed over to them,” he pointed out.

The CP further said that as the CBI had announced a cash reward on the whereabouts of the accused, the Commissionerate Police will recommend the name of the four police officers of the operation for it.

Also Read: What Happened On Jan 9, 1999? All You Need To Know About Barang Gangrape In Odisha