Washim Police End Two-Decade Hunt for Convict Who Had Gone Missing After Supreme Court Verdict
In a dramatic breakthrough, Maharashtra’s Washim Police have arrested a woman who had been evading authorities for more than two decades in connection with the murder of her former boyfriend. The accused, Panchshila Thorat, was traced to Gujarat after investigators allegedly found crucial clues in a social media post shared by her husband, bringing an end to a 22-year search.
The arrest comes after Thorat allegedly disappeared following a Supreme Court ruling that upheld her prison sentence in the long-pending murder case.
Relationship Began as a Live-In Partnership
According to police, the case dates back to 2000, when Panchshila Thorat and Madhav Sadashiv Gote, then 20 years old, were reportedly in a live-in relationship after leaving their respective homes to live together.
Investigators said the relationship later turned bitter. Reports state that Thorat accused Gote of having physical relations with her on the promise of marriage before abandoning her. She had also filed a police complaint accusing him of rape.
Police said tensions between the two continued even after the complaint, with Thorat alleging that Gote repeatedly threatened and harassed her.
Boyfriend Allegedly Killed While Sleeping
According to the prosecution, the incident took place on June 25, 2004, when Thorat allegedly attacked Gote while he was asleep. Investigators claim she first stabbed him in the neck and later struck his head with a stone, leading to his death.
A murder case was registered at Washim Police Station, and Thorat was arrested. She remained in custody for nearly six months before securing bail during the trial.
Legal Battle Reached the Supreme Court
The Washim Sessions Court later convicted Thorat and sentenced her to life imprisonment.
Speaking about the case, Police Inspector Sanjay Chaudhary said:”In a 2004 murder case, the accused woman, Panchshila Thorat, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Sessions Court. After that, Panchshila Thorat appealed in the High Court and the Supreme Court. During this period, she was released on bail. In 2025, the Supreme Court changed her life imprisonment sentence and awarded her 10 years of imprisonment. Since then, Washim Police had been searching for her.”
According to police, after the Supreme Court’s decision, Thorat allegedly failed to surrender and went into hiding.
New Life in Gujarat Ends After Social Media Clue
Police said Thorat left Maharashtra and settled in Gujarat, where she married a local man and started a new family while allegedly living under a different identity.
Investigators eventually tracked her after her husband shared a photograph on social media. The post reportedly provided the lead that helped the Washim Cyber Cell identify her location.
Working with Gujarat Police and the Khambhalia Police Station, officers confirmed her identity despite significant changes in her appearance over the past two decades and took her into custody.
The accused has now been brought back to Maharashtra, where further legal proceedings are expected.
