Belthangady: Police have arrested an accused who had been absconding for the past 10 years without appearing before the court in connection with a cheating case registered at the Belthangady police station. The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in a long-pending case that had remained unresolved due to the accused evading legal proceedings for over a decade.
The accused has been identified as S. N. Chandregowda, a resident of Channarayapatna in Hassan district. According to police sources, a case was registered against him in 2009 after he allegedly cheated a person by collecting money on the promise of providing a biogas connection.
Case registered in 2009
As per the complaint, Chandregowda had approached the victim claiming that he could facilitate the installation of a biogas unit. Trusting his assurances, the complainant reportedly paid him a sum of money. However, the promised biogas connection was never provided, and the accused allegedly failed to return the money.
Following the registration of the case at the Belthangady police station, Chandregowda did not cooperate with the investigation and repeatedly failed to appear before the court. Despite summons and other legal measures, he remained untraceable for several years.
Accused went into hiding
Police said that soon after the case was filed, the accused went into hiding to avoid arrest and court proceedings. His prolonged absence resulted in delays in the legal process and caused frustration for the complainant, who had been seeking justice for years.
The police continued efforts to trace the accused, periodically gathering information about his possible whereabouts. However, Chandregowda managed to evade the authorities by frequently changing his location, police sources said.
Arrest made based on credible information
Acting on specific and credible information, a team from the Belthangady police station traced Chandregowda to Belagihalli in Channarayapatna taluk of Hassan district. He was arrested on January 20 without any resistance.
After his arrest, the accused was brought to Belthangady for further procedures. Police officials said the operation was carried out quietly to avoid alerting the accused and to ensure a smooth arrest.
Produced before court
Following his arrest, Chandregowda was produced before the jurisdictional court. Further legal proceedings will continue as per the law. Police said additional investigation may be carried out if required, including verification of whether similar complaints were filed against him elsewhere.
Conclusion
The arrest of an accused who had been absconding for a decade highlights the sustained efforts of the Belthangady police in pursuing long-pending cases. Officials reiterated that absconding from court proceedings would not absolve individuals of responsibility and that the police remain committed to bringing such accused persons to justice, regardless of the time elapsed.