In a dramatic breakthrough, the Colaba police have arrested a 77-year-old man who had been absconding for nearly 48 years in connection with an attempt-to-murder case registered in 1977. The accused, identified as Chandrashekhar Madhukar Kalekar, was declared a proclaimed offender by the 10th Sessions Court, Mumbai, after failing to appear for trial in the case.
According to the police, Kalekar had allegedly attacked a woman with a sharp weapon in 1977, attempting to kill her. A case (C.R. No. 795/1977) under Section 307 of the IPC was registered at Colaba police station. However, after attending only a couple of hearings, he disappeared and managed to evade the law for decades.
Police sources said Kalekar was then residing at Haji Kasam Chawl, near Hindmata Cinema, Lalbaug. He worked in a reputable private company in Worli and held a well-paying, respectable position. During weekend parties with friends across the city — in Andheri, Santacruz, and Dombivli — he became acquainted with the victim and reportedly fell in love with her.
Chandrashekhar Madhukar Kalekar in 2023 when he renewed his driving licence, who was arrested by Colaba police after decades on the run
Later, suspecting that she was involved with another man, Kalekar allegedly attacked her in a fit of rage, stabbing her multiple times in the stomach, back, and hands. The woman survived the assault. Kalekar was arrested and jailed for over 15 days before being released on bail, but soon after, he vanished.
Over the years, Kalekar reportedly shifted residences several times, from Lalbaug to Santacruz, Mahim, Goregaon, and Badlapur, making it difficult for police to trace him. His old chawl was also demolished, further complicating the search.
“When Kalekar stopped attending court hearings, his bail surety was summoned and fined R10,000. It is believed Kalekar himself paid the fine and instructed his surety not to reveal his whereabouts,” said a police officer.
The long hunt
Under the guidance of DCP Zone 1 Pravin Mundhe, ACP Shashikiran Kashid and Senior PI Sudhakar Deshmukh, a special Colaba police team, comprising PSI Sachin Taware, Head Constable LK Kulkarni, Constables Amol Vairagar and Puja Ingavale, reopened the case six months ago.
Investigators began by scanning voter records and found a person with a matching name in Dapoli taluka, Ratnagiri district. A police team was sent to Dapoli, but the accused managed to mislead them by using a false name and disguising his appearance.
Further digging into RTO records revealed that Kalekar’s driving licence had expired but was renewed in 2023. The updated licence included a photo and address that matched an accident case registered in Dapoli in 2015. When the police showed this photograph to Kalekar’s former colleagues and friends from Lalbaug, Andheri, and Santacruz, they confirmed his identity.
Using the IMEI number of his mobile phone, police tracked him down to Karanjani village in Dapoli. The team finally arrested Kalekar on Monday night and brought him back to Mumbai. He was produced before the court on Tuesday and has been remanded in judicial custody.
And, the victim?
The police say they currently do not know her where she is.
