Mangaluru: Vittal police have arrested an accused who had allegedly been absconding for more than three decades in connection with an illegal petrol transportation case registered in 1992 under the Petroleum Act.

The arrested accused has been identified as Siddique, who was wanted in a case registered at the Vittal Police Station on October 14, 1992. Police said the accused had failed to appear before the court while the matter was under trial and had remained untraceable for several years.

The arrest was made by a special police team led by probationary PSI Siddappa. The operation was carried out with the assistance of ASI Jayaram and police personnel Gopal, Yankappa and Srisail Jorapura.

According to police officials, Siddique was traced and arrested at Kabbina Moole in Kanyana village after sustained efforts and verification of information related to his whereabouts.

Case dates back to 1992

Police said the original case was registered against Ibrahim, a resident of Manjeshwar, and Siddique for allegedly transporting petrol illegally in a car. The case was booked under Sections 3 and 23 of the Petroleum Act.

Investigators at the time had reportedly intercepted the vehicle during checks and registered a case after suspecting unauthorised transportation of petroleum products. Following registration of the case, legal proceedings had begun before the court.

However, during the course of the trial, Siddique allegedly stopped appearing before the court. Repeated attempts to secure his presence reportedly failed, after which he was treated as an absconding accused.

Officials said the case remained pending for years due to the accused’s continued absence from court proceedings.

Police team tracks accused in Kanyana

Police sources stated that Vittal police recently revived efforts to trace long-pending absconding accused persons linked to old criminal cases. During this process, fresh leads reportedly emerged regarding Siddique’s location.

Based on gathered information and field verification, the police team tracked him to Kabbina Moole in Kanyana village. After confirming his identity, officers took him into custody.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of probationary PSI Siddappa, with support from ASI Jayaram and police staff members involved in tracing and surveillance activities.

Police officials said the successful arrest reflects the department’s continuing efforts to execute pending warrants and ensure that accused persons in old cases are brought before the law, irrespective of the passage of time.

Legal proceedings to continue

Following the arrest, police confirmed that the accused would be produced before the court for further legal proceedings related to the 1992 case.

Officials stated that necessary procedural formalities were being completed before presenting the accused before the jurisdictional court.

Police sources added that cases involving absconding accused often remain pending for years, affecting the pace of judicial proceedings. Arrests in such cases help revive stalled legal processes and enable courts to continue hearings.

The arrest has also drawn attention to the challenges faced by investigating agencies in tracing accused persons who evade court appearances for extended periods by shifting locations and remaining out of public view.

Focus on pending warrants and old cases

Law enforcement authorities in Dakshina Kannada district have in recent years intensified efforts to track absconding accused involved in old criminal cases, particularly those linked to pending warrants.

Police officials say special drives are periodically conducted to identify and arrest individuals who have failed to appear before courts despite repeated summons and notices.

Senior officers believe that clearing long-pending warrants is essential for maintaining the credibility of the justice system and ensuring that legal proceedings are completed without indefinite delay.

The arrest of Siddique after more than three decades is being viewed as one such significant development in the district’s efforts to trace absconders connected to unresolved cases.

Police reiterated that the accused would now face court proceedings in connection with the Petroleum Act case registered over illegal transportation of petrol.