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Charles Sobhraj, a serial killer, was infamous for escaping from prisons. Charged with over 20 murders and many robberies, he eventually became the subject for many movies and series including Netflix’s latest, Inspector Zende. The film revolves around the cop, who caught the serial killer twice, but in the past, he has elaborated on how he managed to arrest the notorious criminal twice.
Speaking to the YouTube channel, Awaara Musaafir, Inspector Madhukar Zende recalled the first time he arrested Sobhraj. He shared: “One of the criminals I helped in the past tipped me off about Charles Sobhraj. He had joined his gang. But after seeing guns and revolvers, he got scared and came running to me.”
Explaining the incident in detail, Zende shared: “The thing was, he (the criminal) was from Gujarat and he stole two guns and was fiddling with them when he accidentally shot someone. He got scared and because I had helped him earlier, he trusted me and came to me for help. He told the entire story and how he has joined this huge gang. He said they were planning to loot Air India’s cash counter and said that many people were involved. He said they were armed with weapons. I asked him: ‘Whose gang was this?’ And then he said: ‘Charles Sobhraj.'” Zende shared how Sobhraj was already in the wanted list for his previous crimes. “Before the Air India robbery, he was associated with the Ashoka Hotel robbery and he was wanted in that case.”
Describing Charles, Zende said he was a “rough fellow” who didn’t care about police. Zende said that after the got the tip, they kept a close watch on him. “Eventually, we spotted him. He was wearing a suit. I went and nabbed him. He had a revolver on him. We took that away and took him to the station. When we searched him, we found several hotel receipts, which gave us leads to his associates and we arrested them all. They were from Russia, Iran and Afghanistan,” he said.
Zende and his team also recovered about six to seven rifles, revolvers and smoke bomb. He added, “Delhi police had declared an award of Rs 1500 for his arrest. I was given that reward and they came and took him away. They put him in Tihar jail, but he said he had appendix problem and got admitted in a hospital. In 1971, India began a war–it was complete black out. He took advantage of the situation and slipped away.” It was after this escape that Charles started his ‘bikini killer’ phase.
“After he escaped, his modus operandi was drugging. In this, he used to become friends with girls, take them to the seashore. They would enjoy there, take a dip in the water. The girls would be in their bikini. Then he would bring petrol from his hired car, pour it on the girl and burn her alive. After this, he would steal all her belongings and jewellery. He would then go to her house, steal stuff and leave the place.”
Zende shared that Charles had previously been arrested in France, Sri Lanka and Iran, but he escaped from all those prisons. His escapes started getting infamous and he was known as a notorious criminal. Speaking about Charles’ charming nature, Zende revealed he had become good friends with the authorities and prisoners at Tihar jail. “He even used to help the criminals there. He had studied law, so he used to help them with their legal matters. This made him very popular among them.”
Sharing details about his infamous Tihar jail escape, Zende recalled: “On March 16, he declared it was his birthday. He had made his friends in the jail arrange drugs for him which he mixed in the cake and sweets and drugged the guards. Then three vehicles were brought and 16 people escaped from Tihar. It was the most sensational news in the world.”
After his escape in 1971, Zende was close to arresting him in 1975 but Charles slipped away. Even though he couldn’t manage to get a hold of Charles, Zende had managed to arrest his girlfriend, which brought him into the good books of his seniors. A decade later, when Charles again visited India again, Zende was the first person to be approached. “When I was told to go to the DGP’s office at 10 in the morning, I was quite scared. Then he told me that the Indian railway has tipped off about Sobhraj,” he said.
Zende learnt about Charles’ presence in Goa and reached the state to find the criminal. “We had an information that he is likely to go to some telephone exchange to contact his wife in America. And then shift from a small boat to a big cruise and escape from Goa. I was given Rs 10,000 for the operation. I was told to fly to Goa immediately. The other clue was his motorbike number, which was noted down by the hotel person during his Panvel stay.”
At the telephone exchange, the clerk provided an important tip about this restaurant in Goa with whom they had a special tie up to make international calls–a perfect place for Charles.
While they had this tip, they were also on search for Charles’ bike. “I went around telling the taxi drivers that my brother has eloped, we are looking for him. But, a 16 year old told me: ‘You are very cunning.’ I was like why? He told me the man who rides this bike seems European, you are dark skinned, how can you two be brothers? This confirmed his presence here. I quickly called my senior officer, requested him to send some help. He sent 5 more officers. All of us wandered around in search of him.”
It was on April 6 when Zende caught him for the second time. Zende recalled, “On April 6, there was a hockey match between India and Pakistan. All of my team members were watching it. I was also sitting in a corner when I saw a taxi come. Two people got down of the taxi and they were wearing night hat. I grew suspicious. I started watching them. When they started coming nearer, I realised he looks like Sobhraj. He was also carrying a bag with him. He was known for always carrying bombs and guns. And he knew me. So, I quickly hid behind a wall. He came and sat in the verandah. I slowly went and sat behind him.”
Zende, with the help of a waiter informed his team, who took positions and Zende nabbed Charles from behind. “I shouted: ‘Charles’. He very smartly said: ‘Who Charles?’ I was like: ‘Don’t forget, I am the same Zende who caught you in 1971.’ He still tried to pick up his bag, but my officers reached. We didn’t have handcuffs, so we requested the restaurant to give us a rope. We tied his hands with that. He was also a black belt so it was important to tied up his hands. We pushed him in the car. I called up our commissioner immediately. Told him: ‘I caught Sobhraj’. He couldn’t believe it. He was so happy and ordered me come straight to Mumbai, claiming he will come in person to receive me,” said Zende.
He added, “We left at night. But, I knew Sobhraj was a dangerous man. He will surely try to escape. For this reason, I made two of my constables sit on him. We gave him a tin, in case he wanted to pee, but made sure he didn’t get down at any cost.”
Soon the news got out and Zende was applauded for his efforts.
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