The main accused in the attack on Uttar Pradesh minister Nand Gopal Gupta alias Nandi in Allahabad nearly three months ago was arrested in suburban Santacruz in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Anand Sandalia alias Rajesh Pilot, who carried a reward of Rs 2.5 lakh, was nabbed outside the domestic airport's arrival gate, said Mumbai Joint Police Commissioner(Crime) Himanshu Roy.
Pilot was arrested by Maharashtra Police's Anti-Extortion Cell and the Special Task Force of the Uttar Pradesh police, he said. Confirming his arrest, UP Inspector General of Police (Crime) G P Sharma told reporters in Lukcnow that Rajesh Pilot would be brought to Allahabad on a transit remand.
The STF obtained the transit remand of Pilot who was produced before a court in Mumbai , Roy said. Pilot allegedly triggered a bomb blast near the house of Nandi in Allahabad on July 12 in which the minister was wounded and two others, including a journalist, were killed.
"He is also wanted in several cases including murder, attempt to murder, dacoity and robbery in UP and Madhya Pradesh. He had looted several banks in these two states," Roy said.
Pilot had been absconding after the attack and the Uttar Pradesh government had announced a reward for his arrest.