The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has apprehended a senior Maoist leader who carried a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head. The 45-year-old individual, identified as Sanjay Saroju Yadav—also known by his aliases Sanjay Godray and Budharam—was taken into custody in the Thakurli area near Dombivli in Thane district. Authorities confirmed that Yadav, a Zonal Committee Member of a banned Maoist organisation, had been residing in the region for more than a month prior to his arrest.
Yadav’s criminal record is extensive, with the Jharkhand Police seeking him in connection with seven separate cases. These charges reportedly include murder, extortion, and involvement in armed exchanges of fire with law enforcement personnel. Intelligence gathered by the ATS led to a specific tip-off regarding his presence in the outskirts of Mumbai, prompting the Thane unit of the agency to verify the information and conduct the operation that resulted in his capture.
According to investigations, Yadav fled from the forest regions of Chhatarpur, Jharkhand, over a month ago. He reportedly reached Thane with the assistance of a contact within the Maoist network. Upon his arrival in Maharashtra, he initially sought manual labor, finding work with a real estate contractor to handle loading and unloading tasks. His transition into a lower-profile existence eventually led him to the Thakurli area of Dombivli.
About a week before his apprehension, Yadav managed to secure employment under a local businessman who was reportedly oblivious to his background. His duties involved looking after five to six cows and taking them out for grazing. This period of anonymity, however, ended when the ATS acted upon the intelligence confirming his identity and the pending bounty issued by the Jharkhand authorities.
Following his arrest, Yadav was brought to the ATS unit in Thane. The Jharkhand Police arrived to take custody of the accused under a transit remand to facilitate further investigation and ensure he faces legal proceedings in the jurisdiction where the alleged crimes occurred. Officers stated that they are currently examining his digital devices and other collected evidence to gain a clearer understanding of his activities and the specific objectives of his stay in Maharashtra.
Yadav, a native of Devgaon village in the Palamu district of Jharkhand, reportedly joined the banned outfit in 2014. During initial questioning, he claimed that his decision to join the organization stemmed from a personal land dispute. He is married and has three children, a 23-year-old daughter and two sons aged 22 and 20. Reports indicate that he had not returned to his home since his induction into the Maoist ranks over a decade ago.
As the legal process moves forward, the focus remains on the handover to Jharkhand authorities and the scrutiny of his recent movements. The arrest highlights the ongoing efforts of security agencies to track individuals wanted for serious crimes who attempt to blend into urban populations. Investigating teams are continuing their work to determine if he was attempting to establish a local network or simply using the area as a temporary refuge to evade arrest.
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