Jharsuguda: Police in Odisha's Jharsuguda district have arrested an absconding murder accused who had been on the run for 28 years after escaping from police custody in 1998.

The accused, Nilamani Mahanand (51) of Bhundupali village under Rengali police limits, was arrested from Raigarh in neighbouring Chhattisgarh following a raid based on a tip-off. He was later produced before a court.

According to police, the case dates back to October 9, 1998, when Duryodhan Deep was allegedly murdered over previous enmity. Police said Duryodhan, who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time, was attacked and killed by the accused. His body was stuffed into a sack and thrown into the Kelo River.

Following a complaint lodged by the victim's son at Rengali police station, Nilamani Mahanand, Ram Khadia and Lechi alias Biswanath Kahar were named as the main accused in the murder case.

Police had arrested Nilamani soon after the incident. However, he allegedly escaped from the Rengali police station after seeking permission to use the toilet. The other two accused later secured bail.

Nilamani remained on the run for nearly three decades, frequently changing locations outside Odisha to evade arrest. During the past two years, he had reportedly been living in Raigarh under the assumed identity of Raju Ganda and had even obtained a fake Aadhaar card.

Acting on confidential information, a Rengali police team traced and arrested him in Raigarh.