Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police have arrested Raja Sahani, a notorious criminal who had escaped from Choudwar Jail, from Rishikesh where he was reportedly staying with his girlfriend under a false identity.

According to reports, Sahani had been on the run since his escape and was moving across different cities in disguise to avoid detection. A special police team had been closely tracking his movements ever since the jailbreak.

Earlier, another associate of Sahani, Madhukant, was arrested from Vrindavan while hiding in an ashram. During interrogation, he revealed key details about the planned escape from jail, which helped police tighten the net around Sahani.

Both accused had escaped by cutting through the jail grill in a pre-planned act on the morning of Durga Puja immersion day.

Investigators also revealed that after escaping, Sahani regrouped with other associates and allegedly masterminded a major jewellery heist in Karnataka. The gang looted ornaments worth around Rs 20 crore from a showroom. While some members of the gang were arrested by the Karnataka Police, Sahani had remained absconding.

With his arrest, cops expect more details about the jailbreak and subsequent criminal activities. Sahani was being brought to Odisha for questioning.