Does stealing ₹184 remain a crime even after 45 years? The arrest of 59-year-old Salim in Madhya Pradesh for stealing 90 kg of wheat has raised questions about the system. Claiming to be a minor, changing his identity, and acting suddenly—is this justice or punishment for delay?

MP Wheat Theft Case 1980: A case has emerged from Madhya Pradesh that raises questions about law, justice, and time. An elderly man was suddenly arrested for allegedly stealing 90 kilograms of wheat 45 years ago. The question isn't whether the theft occurred, but whether justice remains valid after so many years.

Does theft of Rs 184 remain a crime even after 45 years?

Khargone district police arrested Salim (59), an absconding accused in a 1980 case, from Bagh town in Dhar district. He is accused of stealing 90 kilograms of wheat from a farm, valued at just ₹184 at the time. Wheat prices at the time were ₹2.05 per kilogram.35

How did Salim escape the police for 45 years?

According to the police, Salim had changed his identity and settled about 90 kilometers away from the crime scene. He ran a small grocery store with his son and lived a normal life. He believed the police had forgotten about such an old case.

Why the 1980 case was suddenly reopened?

SDOP Shweta Shukla stated that a special drive was underway to apprehend long-absconding accused. During this time, the 1980 case file was reopened and it was discovered that one of the accused was still at large. When police arrived in Dewas to search for another accused, Salim, they discovered he had died. During interrogations with the family, they learned that the other Salim lived in a garden in Dhar. This is where the 45-year-old mystery was solved.

Was Salim a minor? The family's strong claim

After the arrest, the case became more complicated. Salim's wife, Tasleem, claimed that Salim was between 13 and 15 years old at the time of the theft. She questioned, "If he was a minor, how can a case be filed against him 45 years later?" The family says they had to spend approximately 15,000 rupees for bail, and the complainant had to pay 6,000 rupees. They allege that the police never came to the village in all these years, so why this sudden action?

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