Anil Meghdas Patenia, a 35-year-old murder convict who escaped from Yerawada Open Jail in Pune in December 2024, was apprehended in Ulhasnagar, Thane district, on July 17 while riding a stolen motorcycle, police said on Saturday. Acting on a tip-off, officers from the Ulhasnagar police chased and arrested Patenia after he attempted to flee.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone IV) Sachin Gore confirmed that Patenia, a Titwala native, was serving a life sentence for a 2016 double murder case in Mharal village under Kalyan Taluka police. “During interrogation, he admitted to escaping from Yerawada’s open jail facility,” Gore said. The escape, discovered during a roll call on December 11, 2024, led to a case under Section 262 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for obstructing lawful apprehension.

Patenia, transferred to Yerawada from Nashik Central Jail in June 2024, had a history of good conduct, earning him a 28-day leave in October 2024, which he honored before escaping. The arrest marks the fourth escape from Yerawada’s open prison since November 2023, raising concerns about lax security at the facility, one of Maharashtra’s 19 open jails for well-behaved inmates.

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Police recovered the stolen motorcycle and are probing whether Patenia committed additional crimes while on the run. The Yerawada police have been informed, and a team is expected to take custody for further proceedings.

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