Kolkata: In what could prove to be a significant lead into the Tagore heist investigation, the CID (Criminal Investigation Department) has arrested a former part time employee of Visva-Bharati from neighbouring Bolpur area after his fingerprints matched with those found at the site of crime in the Rabindra Bhavan in Santiniketan.

CID Additional DG R K Mahanti confirmed today (Apr 3, 2004) that Pradeep Bauri, a 27-year-old former contract gardener at the University was detained on March 29 along with a few more suspects and upon investigation his finger and palm prints matched with those found around the place from where Tagore's Nobel medal and other memorabilia were stolen more than a week ago.

Bauri has been handed over to the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) for further investigation, he said.

Though he had confessed his crime initially and was beginning to divulge details about his aides, Bauri had retracted his earlier statement after getting a legal opinion from his counsels, Mahanti said.

The youth, hailing from the Supur village of Bolpur in Birbhum district, was known to be involved in petty crimes in the region and was arrested in a drunken state.