Udupi: Malpe police have arrested two accused who had been absconding for nearly 11 years in connection with a theft case reported at Malpe Beach. The arrests were made following a renewed effort by the police to trace long-pending accused who had failed to appear before the court for over a decade.

Police identified the arrested persons as Asha Sumithra Krishna and Rekha Danappa. Both were wanted in a theft case registered within the Malpe police station limits and had remained out of reach despite earlier summons and warrants.

Officials said the duo was traced in Shivamogga district and taken into custody by a special police team.

Arrest after decade-long absconding

Udupi According to police sources, the theft case dates back around 11 years and relates to an incident reported at Malpe Beach. After the case was registered and investigation initiated, the accused allegedly failed to attend court proceedings and went into hiding.

Over the years, non-bailable warrants were pending against them, but their whereabouts could not be established. As part of a drive to execute long-pending warrants and trace absconding accused, Malpe police reopened the trail and began fresh field-level verification.

Using local intelligence inputs and address tracking, officers were able to narrow down their location outside the district.

Traced to Shivamogga district

Udupi A police team comprising personnel including Suresh Kumar, Vishwanath and Sinchana conducted the operation to trace the accused. Based on gathered information, the team travelled to the Hosamane area of Bhadravathi taluk in Shivamogga district.

After confirming their presence in the locality, the team secured both accused and formally arrested them on January 31. Police said the operation was carried out without incident and in coordination with local support where required.

Officials noted that tracking absconders after such a long gap is often challenging due to changes in residence, identity details and social networks, but sustained follow-up helped crack the case.

Produced before court, sent to judicial custody

Udupi Following their arrest, the accused were brought back and produced before the jurisdictional court. The court remanded both to judicial custody.

Police confirmed that Asha Sumithra Krishna and Rekha Danappa have been lodged in Mangaluru prison following the remand order. Further legal proceedings in the theft case will now continue before the trial court.

Authorities said execution of pending warrants remains a priority area and more such operations will be carried out to ensure that accused persons do not evade the judicial process indefinitely.

Focus on pending warrants and old cases

Udupi Police officials stated that district units have been directed to review old and pending cases, especially those involving proclaimed offenders and long-term absconders. Special teams are periodically formed to trace such individuals, even if cases are several years old.

They added that technology-based tracking, inter-district coordination and local intelligence gathering are increasingly being used to locate accused who relocate to other districts to avoid arrest.

The successful arrest in the Malpe Beach theft case after 11 years is being seen as part of this broader enforcement push.

Conclusion

Udupi With the arrest of the two accused after more than a decade on the run, Malpe police have revived progress in a long-pending theft case. Officials said continued efforts will be made to trace other absconding accused in old cases and ensure that court processes are enforced without delay.