Punjab Police has apprehended former Indian Army captain Sandeep Tomar in Madhya Pradesh, concluding a four-year search for him in connection with his wife’s murder. Tomar had been evading authorities after receiving a life sentence from the Punjab and Haryana High Court for the crime. His capture was facilitated by a trail of payments associated with an LPG cylinder reservation made under his name.
Following a court application filed by Tomar’s father-in-law, a special investigation team (SIT) was established under the leadership of Superintendent of Police Aaswant Singh to locate the fugitive officer. The SIT collaborated with the National Intelligence Grid (NAT-GRID) and managed to uncover Tomar’s genuine PAN card, leading to the discovery of bank accounts linked to him.
Through a private bank, it was found that Tomar received a monthly salary from a private company, with a connected mobile number placing him in Pandhurna. Subsequent examination of bank records unveiled a transaction for an LPG cylinder from Bharat Gas, enabling the police to pinpoint the exact location of Tomar’s hideout where he was apprehended.
After being detained, Tomar was transported back to Punjab with the assistance of the Madhya Pradesh police. His criminal history dates back to 2014 when he was convicted of strangling his wife, Shweta, and attempting to disguise it as a suicide. This led to his life imprisonment, dismissal from the Army, and incarceration in Ferozepur. Despite being granted bail in 2019, Tomar absconded following the High Court’s 2022 decision to uphold his sentence.