Jagatsinghpur: On the run for almost two decades, a murder accused finally fell into police net in the district.

The accused, Sukadeb Behera, had allegedly killed a man over past enmity 19 years ago with two other accomplices, when he was 22 years old. The fugitive was now 41 years old when the police, acting on a tip-off, nabbed him from his house at Kulakayijanga village in Biridi police limits.

Sukadeb, flanked by Narendra Das and Umesh Behera, had stabbed to death one Birabara Behera at Biridi marketplace on January 13, 1999.

While the police arrested Narendra and Umesh, Sukadeb remained untraceable, said sub-divisional police officer Sujogya Mishra.

The trial of the case went on in the district and sessions judge court. The court had later acquitted the accused trio because of lack of corroborative evidence. Naredra and Umesh were later released from jail as the lower court found them not guilty. But, the prosecution counsels later challenged the lower court order in Orissa High Court, and the trio were sentenced to life on April 4.

Now, Naredra and Umesh, who had walked free following earlier acquittal order, evaded arrest. A special squad has been formed to nab them.

Sukadeb had reportedly fled to Delhi after committing the murder. He used to earn his livelihood there as a street vendor, the police said.