Mangaluru: Police have arrested a 33-year-old man who had been absconding for nearly seven years after repeatedly failing to appear before the court in connection with more than 13 criminal cases registered against him.

The accused has been identified as Ummar Nawaf (33), a native of Margathale in Ullal taluk. He was residing at Gerukatte, Kundappu, under Pavoor Post in Manjeshwar, Kasaragod, before his arrest.

According to the police, Nawaf had been evading court proceedings for several years despite facing multiple criminal cases. During this period, the court issued more than 30 non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against him.

Wanted in multiple criminal cases

Police said the accused is involved in more than 13 criminal cases, several of which were registered at the Ullal Police Station.

Among the cases are Crime No. 206/2012, registered under Sections 143, 147, 148, 323, 427, 504, 506 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Crime No. 27/2017, registered under Section 387 of the IPC.

He is also an accused in Crime No. 183/2017, registered under Sections 143, 147, 148, 448, 504, 324, 323, 506 and 427 read with Section 149 of the IPC. Police said a proclamation had been issued against him in this case after he failed to appear before the court.

Another major case against him is Crime No. 276/2015, registered under Sections 143, 144, 148, 448, 451, 452, 326, 307, 397, 506 and 149 of the IPC. In this case, the court had declared him a Long Pending Case (LPC) accused.

Evaded court proceedings for years

According to investigators, Nawaf had remained absconding for nearly seven years by continuously avoiding court appearances.

Despite repeated summons and legal proceedings, he allegedly failed to attend hearings, prompting the court to issue more than 30 non-bailable warrants against him over the years.

Police had been tracking his movements as part of efforts to execute the pending warrants and secure his appearance before the court.

Arrested by special police team

Acting under the guidance of the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mangaluru South Sub-Division, a special team from the Mangaluru South Sub-Division Office launched an operation to trace the accused.

Based on credible information, the team successfully tracked down and arrested Nawaf on August 2.

Police said the arrest brings an end to several years of efforts to locate the accused, who had allegedly been changing locations to evade law enforcement agencies.

To be produced before court

Following his arrest, police completed the necessary legal formalities and said the accused would be produced before the jurisdictional court.

Further legal proceedings will be initiated in connection with the pending criminal cases and the execution of the outstanding warrants.