Odisha man, accused of killing mother-in-law, caught by Chennai Police after 28 yrs

Bhubaneswar: A man hailing from Odisha’s Ganjam district has finally landed behind bars after evading arrest for over 28 years. The man, identified as Harihar Pattajoshi of Berhampur town, faces the charge of murder.

As per initial reports, Harihar allegedly killed his mother-in-law Rama and attacked his wife and brother-in-law during his stay in Chennai in 1994. A murder case in this connection was registered against him. However, the police could not arrest him as he kept changing his places.

Sources said Harihar had fallen in love with one Indira who was working at a telemarketing company in Chennai in 1994. Later, both of them tied a nuptial knot in July 1994. However, both started staying separately after a few months of their marriage and had applied for divorce.

On August 9, 1998, Harihar allegedly stormed into the house of Indira and attacked her mother and brother. Following the incident, he fled the city and started working in Gujarat’s Surat before returning to Odisha.

In Odisha, Harihar married another woman in 2001. His second wife hailed from Aska in Ganjam district.

After his second marriage, Harihar worked as a manager at various companies in Kendrapara and Berhampur. Fearing arrest, he frequently changed his places. Though Chennai Police had earlier raided multiple times, they could not arrest him.

Recently, a Chennai police team met Berhampur superintendent of police (SP) Dr Saravana Vivek M and sought his help to arrest the culprit. Under the guidance of the SP, a team was formed. The team, led by the inspector-in-charge of Gosainuagaon police station, succeeded in arresting Harihar before he managed to give a slip. He was held from Berhampur railway station on Monday, a police official said on Tuesday.