Dakshina Kannada Police Net 110 Accused in Crackdown on Cold Cases
Mangaluru: In a decisive move against criminal elements, the Dakshina Kannada police department has apprehended over 110 individuals accused in long-standing cases. This operation, conducted over the past three months, represents a significant effort to bring to justice those who have evaded the legal system by absconding and failing to appear in court.
The crackdown, spearheaded by the City Police Commissioner and the District Superintendent of Police, specifically targeted individuals previously released on bail who were facing charges related to a range of serious offenses, including murder, attempted murder, robbery, and extortion. Law enforcement officials focused on pressuring these individuals, many of whom had disappeared after securing bail, effectively dodging court appearances and, in some instances, fleeing the country.
Authorities discovered that a number of these accused were not only evading justice but also continuing to engage in criminal activities, fostering an environment conducive to further offenses. This realization prompted a more aggressive approach to apprehending those with outstanding warrants.
In a related development, city police uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated network responsible for producing fraudulent Aadhaar cards and forging RTC documents. This illicit operation facilitated the procurement of bail for accused individuals, allowing them to be released from custody despite pending criminal charges. Twelve individuals connected to this forgery ring have been arrested, with investigations ongoing to identify additional participants. Law enforcement officials have revealed that the network charges between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 100,000 for their services.
The proactive approach taken by the Police Commissioner, involving a thorough review of old case files and the assignment of information-gathering tasks to station inspectors, has yielded substantial results. Since the operation began, over 75 long-term accused have been taken into custody.
Among the notable arrests are Vishal Kumar, apprehended at Mangalore Airport upon arrival from Dubai after fleeing the country following his alleged involvement in a criminal act; Devaraj, who had been evading authorities for 19 years before being apprehended by Vital police; and Ravindra, who had been on the run for seven years. The operation also resulted in the arrest of Leeladhar and Chandrahas Keshav Shetty, accused in connection with communal riots dating back 26 years. Other significant arrests include Imran Khan, who had been absconding for 12 years; rowdy sheeter Nazeem alias Najju; Chandran, apprehended by Puttur police after 55 years on the run; Abdul Hanif, arrested after failing to appear for questioning despite the issuance of nine warrants; Asami Thimmaiah, apprehended by Dharmasthala police after 10 years of evading authorities; Srinivasa Shetty, an associate of underworld criminal Kali Yogish; Altaf, who had been absconding for 12 years; and Shiva Prasad, an accused in the Vinayak Baliga murder case.
Mangalore City Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy has emphasized that these arrests serve as a clear warning to other criminals seeking to evade justice. The operation underscores the commitment of the Dakshina Kannada police department to pursuing even the oldest of cases and ensuring that those accused of criminal activity are held accountable for their actions.