13-Year Fugitive Maoist Leader Sitaram Arrested in Varanasi

• Uttar Pradesh ATS arrested Sitaram alias Vinay Ji, a senior CPI (Maoist) member, at Kashi railway station in Varanasi.
• Sitaram had been absconding for nearly 13 years and was wanted in multiple serious cases, including murder and Naxal violence.
• He was a zonal secretary of the CPI (Maoist) central committee and allegedly involved in the 2012 murder of a village head's wife.
• Sitaram, who used aliases like Om Prakash and Dhanu, was also wanted in cases across Bihar.
• He previously evaded arrest in August 2023 during a meeting with other Maoist associates.

Why It Matters: Long-sought Maoist leader's capture boosts security and justice.