Overview
- A Bhubaneswar–Cuttack Commissionerate team arrested Madhukanta Kumar, also reported as Madhukant Rana, at an ashram guest house in Vrindavan where he worked under the alias Basu Pande.
- He was produced before a Uttar Pradesh court as Odisha Police pursue transit remand to return him to Cuttack.
- Kumar escaped Choudwar Circle Jail on the night of October 2–3, 2025 with co-accused Raja Sahani.
- Investigators say he was jailed in a dacoity and murder case, including an alleged daylight killing and a jewellery-shop loot in January 2025.
- The operation drew on months of raids, verifications and coordination across states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Nagaland, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and the search for Sahani and any shelterers continues with a Rs 50,000 reward in place.