Indian Express Uncovers How Inspector Zende Twice Nabbed Charles Sobhraj

Indian Express published today that veteran Mumbai officer Madhukar Zende detailed his two historic arrests of French serial killer Charles Sobhraj in a new feature.

Zende’s firsthand account illuminates the remarkable detective work behind apprehending Sobhraj-“The Serpent”-on April 6 during an India-Pakistan hockey match, and the initial tip that led to his 1971 capture. The story underscores enduring public fascination with Sobhraj’s audacious crimes and the tenacity of law enforcement.

Inspector’s First Breakthrough

Zende’s career-changing lead came from a Gujarat criminal who, fearing for his life after a botched robbery plot, sought out Zende and revealed plans orchestrated by Charles Sobhraj. Acting on the tip, Zende located Sobhraj’s hideout and effected the arrest, ending a string of armed robberies tied to the killer.

The Second Daring Arrest

On April 6, 1971, while most officers were watching a cricket match, Zende observed two suspicious figures in a taxi. Recognizing Sobhraj, he concealed himself nearby, coordinated with colleagues, and arrested the fugitive without incident. Lacking handcuffs, Zende ingeniously requisitioned a restaurant rope to secure Sobhraj’s wrists before transporting him to custody.

Legacy of the “Bikini Killer”

Charles Sobhraj, convicted of over 20 murders across Asia in the 1970s, earned nicknames like “The Serpent” and “Bikini Killer” for his cunning methods and choice of victims. He famously escaped multiple prisons before his final conviction in Nepal, where he remains incarcerated. Zende’s recounting, featured in a new Netflix-adjacent biopic Inspector Zende, renews interest in one of criminal history’s most enigmatic figures.