Considered as one of the biggest ever simultaneous chases in the US and India, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been hunting for Indian fugitive Bhadresh Kumar Patel since 2017.
Patel, a 26-year-old from Viramgam, Gujarat, is wanted for the murder of his wife in Maryland back in April 2015. His name has now been added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, with a reward of up to $250,000 being offered for any information leading to his arrest.
Described by the FBI as a cold-blooded murderer and an "extremely dangerous" criminal, Patel allegedly killed his young wife at a Dunkin' Donuts store in Hanover, Maryland, in a bizarre manner.
Patel's wife wanted to return to India which was one of the reasons for the tiff between the couple.
According to reports, Patel struck his wife multiple times with an object, leading to her tragic demise. Following the murder, a local arrest warrant was issued in the District Court of Maryland for Anne Arundel County on April 13, 2015, charging Patel with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and dangerous weapon with intent to injure.
Not just murder, Patel also illegally entered Canada via human smugglers of Indian origin.
Subsequently, a federal arrest warrant was issued in the United States District Court, District of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, on April 20, 2015, after Patel was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Since the crime took place, Patel has managed to evade capture and has not been seen since. In 2017, he was included for the first time in the FBI's list of top 10 most wanted fugitives, marking the seriousness and urgency of the search. The FBI has stated that Patel is wanted for first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, dangerous weapon with intent to injure, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
It is believed that Patel was last known to be in the Newark, New Jersey, area. The FBI, along with law enforcement agencies in both the United States and India, continues to investigate leads and pursue all possible avenues in their relentless pursuit of the fugitive.
Sri Lankan Navy arrests 32 Tamil fishermen, five boats seized
The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 32 fishermen from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Lankan waters.
Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi hails ISRO's century in rocket launches, urges people to dedicate a day for science
Addressing the 119th episode of his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Indian Space Research Organisation, saying it has hit the century in space. Last month, the country witnessed the ISRO's 100th rocket launch.
Mizoram student stabbed to death in Kerala, batchmate arrested
A 22-year-old BTech student from Mizoram was stabbed to death near his college in Thiruvananthapuram. The deceased, Valentine, was a student at Rajadhani Institute of Engineering & Technology, Nagaroor.
Italy PM slams Left's double standards, says when Trump, Meloni, Modi talk, they are called threat to democracy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has accused left-wing politicians of being "nervous" over former US President Donald Trump's victory, claiming that conservatives are unfairly labelled as a "threat to democracy" while leftist leaders are celebrated for similar global alliances.
NDRF intensifies rescue operation to save 8 trapped in Telangana tunnel
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams on Sunday intensified rescue efforts to save eight persons trapped in an under-construction tunnel after a portion of its roof collapsed in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district on February 22.
Israel delays Palestinian prisoner release after 'humiliating' hostage handovers
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the release of Palestinian prisoners would be delayed until Hamas ceases its "humiliating ceremonies" during the release of Israeli hostages under the ceasefire deal.
PM Modi on 3-day visit to MP, Bihar, Assam from today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Assam from February 23 to 25 to participate in several developmental projects and inaugurate business summits.
US senators call out China for 'weaponising' UN 1971 resolution, vow support to Taiwan
The United States Senators accused China of subverting United Nations Resolution 2758 in an attempt to isolate Taiwan. The senators proposed a resolution in the Senate reaffirming US support for Taiwan. The resolution opposes China's attempt to prevent Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations.