A hardcore criminal involved in the murder of a couple during a robbery in Nizamabad area of Azamgarh district was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police from Panvel in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, an official spokesman said here.

The spokesman said that on the intervening night on June 25 and 26 Vishwanath, a resident of Parsaha under Nizamabad police station in Azamgarh district, and his wife Shanichari Devi were killed brutally during armed dacoity.

"The couple's son Ram Lakhan lodged a case against unidentified miscreants," he said.

He said that during investigation the involvement of Harish alias Chhotu gang was revealed.

"In the meantime the accused, who carried a cash reward of Rs 50000 on his arrest, fled to Maharashtra. After this the Varanasi field unit of the STF was gathering inputs about the accused," he said.

The spokesman said that during investigation the STF field unit received information about Harish's presence in Panvel.
"Acting on the information the STF team arrested Harish near Panvel railway station," he said.

He said that when quizzed the arrested accused revealed that he along with his gang used to commit crime like robbery and murder in Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Varanasi, Ambedkar Nagar and neighbouring districts.

"Around three dozen cases are lodged in different police station against Harish," he said.

(With UNIinputs)