Mangaluru: An accused who had been absconding for nearly three years and living in Dubai to evade court proceedings has been arrested upon his arrival at Mangaluru International Airport.
The accused has been identified as Vishal Kumar, against whom a case had been registered at Kavoor Police Station in 2016.
Non-bailable warrant and LOC issued
Police sources revealed that since 2022, Vishal Kumar had failed to appear before the court despite repeated summons, leading to the issuance of a non-bailable warrant. On receiving confirmed information that he was residing in Dubai, the authorities issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) to track his travel.
The LOC proved effective when Kumar landed in Mangaluru on September 4, 2025. Officials from the Bureau of Immigration detained him at the airport and immediately handed him over to the Kavoor police for further legal action.
Produced before court and remanded
Following his arrest, Kumar was produced before the III Additional District and Sessions Court in Mangaluru. The court remanded him to judicial custody till September 18, 2025.
Police clarified that his deliberate failure to attend court hearings for nearly three years amounted to evasion of judicial proceedings. His prolonged stay abroad despite pending cases further aggravated his legal position.
Fresh case registered under BNS
In addition to the pending case at Kavoor Police Station, a fresh case has now been registered under Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Kavoor Police Station (Crime No. 133/2025). This section deals with deliberate disobedience to legal orders, which includes wilfully avoiding court proceedings.
Police also confirmed that Kumar faces another case at Barke Police Station, which remains under investigation. Authorities are likely to consolidate the pending cases against him for trial.
Crackdown on absconding accused
Law enforcement agencies in Dakshina Kannada have been tightening their grip on absconding accused in recent years, especially those attempting to hide abroad. With cooperation from the immigration bureau and the issuance of Lookout Circulars, police have been able to bring several fugitives to justice.
Officials have reiterated that evading court proceedings by travelling abroad will not shield accused individuals from the law. They emphasised that warrants and LOCs would continue to be used effectively to trace and arrest absconders.
Conclusion
The arrest of Vishal Kumar demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated efforts between immigration authorities and local police in apprehending absconding accused. His judicial custody marks the beginning of legal proceedings that were stalled for nearly three years due to his absence. With multiple cases pending, the police are expected to pursue the matter further to ensure accountability.