Police in Chhattisgarh’s Gharghoda area have arrested a notorious criminal who had been absconding for several months after allegedly assaulting and robbing a daily wage worker. The accused, identified as Mohsin Khan alias Bhuru Pathan, was already listed under police surveillance due to his previous criminal activities. He was arrested following a tip-off received by the police.

The case has once again raised concerns about rising street crimes linked to substance abuse and repeat offenders in the region. Police officials said the accused had a long criminal history involving theft, robbery, and multiple law and order violations.

Laborer Attacked While Returning From Work

According to police, Arun Kumar Ekka, a resident of Sitapur area, works as a laborer in Gharghoda. On the night of October 21, 2025, around 8:30 PM, he was returning to his pickup vehicle after finishing work.

As he reached near Gupta Hotel in Ward Number-2, the accused allegedly stopped him on the road. Witnesses and police reports suggest that the accused was under the influence of intoxicants and began demanding money from the worker. When Arun refused to give him money, the accused allegedly started abusing him verbally before physically assaulting him. During the altercation, the accused forcefully removed ₹500 from the worker’s shirt pocket. Police said the accused also tried to snatch Arun’s mobile phone. During the struggle, the phone fell to the ground and broke completely.

Accused Had Been Absconding Since Incident

After committing the crime, the accused fled from the spot and remained absconding for several months. The victim later lodged a complaint at Gharghoda Police Station, after which a case was registered and investigation began.

Police teams conducted raids at several suspected hideouts, but the accused continued to evade arrest by frequently changing locations. Authorities said they had been tracking his movements for a long time. Finally, on Thursday night, police received information from an informer that the accused had returned to his village. Acting quickly on the tip-off, police surrounded the area and arrested him successfully.

Long Criminal History Revealed

During investigation, police confirmed that Mohsin Khan alias Bhuru Pathan has a long criminal background. Records show that he was involved in a theft case in 2008 and later faced action in a robbery case in 2010. Due to repeated involvement in criminal activities, authorities had also externed him from the district in 2015 under preventive action. Despite previous legal action, the accused allegedly continued engaging in unlawful activities. Police officials stated that he had been under surveillance for years and was considered a habitual offender in the area.

Residents Express Relief After Arrest

Local residents welcomed the arrest and said the accused had created fear among laborers and common citizens. People from the locality claimed he frequently threatened individuals, demanded money, and often created disturbances while intoxicated. Several residents said many victims avoided reporting incidents out of fear of retaliation. The latest arrest has brought a sense of relief to the community, especially among workers who travel late in the evening after work. Citizens have demanded strict legal action against repeat offenders so that such incidents do not recur in the future.

Police Investigating Further Connections

Police are now questioning the accused to determine whether he was involved in other crimes in the area. Officials are also investigating who may have helped him during his period of absconding. Authorities believe more information may emerge during interrogation regarding other criminal activities and associates connected to the accused. Police have appealed to citizens to immediately report suspicious activities or crimes so timely action can be taken to maintain law and order.