Mangaluru: The Mangaluru Rural Police have arrested a proclaimed offender who had been absconding for nearly two-and-a-half years in connection with an attempt to murder and dacoity case. The accused, who had evaded arrest since the registration of the case, was traced to Kerala and taken into custody following a coordinated operation by the police.

The arrested accused has been identified as Mukul Das alias Koyil (29), son of Lohithakshan and a resident of Manappettividu, Ittumuna, Karuvannur in Kerala’s Thrissur district.

Accused wanted in serious criminal case

According to the police, Mukul Das was wanted in connection with Mangaluru Rural Police Station Crime No. 52/2024, registered under Sections 120B, 457, 342, 323, 324, 307, 395, 397, 506 and 201 read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The case involves allegations of criminal conspiracy, house trespass, wrongful confinement, voluntarily causing hurt, attempt to murder, dacoity, use of deadly weapons during robbery, criminal intimidation and destruction of evidence.

Police said the accused had remained absconding ever since the case was registered, making it difficult for investigators to complete the legal process against him.

Declared proclaimed offender

As repeated efforts to trace the accused failed, the investigating officers filed an absconding charge sheet before the court.

Subsequently, the trial court declared Mukul Das a proclaimed accused, enabling the police to intensify efforts to locate and arrest him. Officials continued to monitor possible leads regarding his movements while coordinating with law enforcement agencies outside Karnataka.

Arrested in Kerala

The breakthrough came after the police received credible information about the accused’s whereabouts in Kerala.

Acting on the intelligence, a special police team travelled to Thrissur district and successfully traced Mukul Das within the jurisdiction of the Cherpu Police Station.

The accused was apprehended without incident and brought into police custody before being produced before the competent court.

Police said the arrest was the result of sustained surveillance and coordinated efforts to trace the absconding accused.

Police team behind the operation

The operation was led by Police Sub-Inspector Arun Kumar D, who headed the team that carried out the arrest.

The team included Head Constable Dayananda (2217), Civil Police Constable Sikandar (940), Civil Police Constable Birendra (2378), Civil Police Constable Ramesh (2379) and Civil Police Constable Pradeep (3193).

Technical assistance for the operation was provided by Head Constable Ranjith from the COP office, whose support helped the team identify and trace the accused’s location.

Remanded to judicial custody

Following his arrest, Mukul Das was produced before the competent court, which remanded him to judicial custody, police said.

With the arrest of the proclaimed offender, investigators are expected to proceed with the pending legal proceedings in the case. Police said the arrest represents another step in their efforts to trace absconding accused and ensure that those facing serious criminal charges are brought before the courts.

The Mangaluru Rural Police reiterated their commitment to pursuing proclaimed offenders and absconding accused, even if they are located outside Karnataka, through coordinated operations with police agencies in other states.