Mangaluru: The City Crime Branch (CCB) police have arrested the prime accused in a 2015 attempt to murder case, ending an 11-year search for the fugitive. The accused, who had been evading arrest since the crime was registered, was traced to central Karnataka and taken into custody before being handed over to the Kavoor police for further legal proceedings.

The arrested accused has been identified as Chunki Akash Bhavan alias Santhosh S (34), a resident of Karnelli village, Mallenahalli post in Shikaripura taluk of Shivamogga district. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in one of the city’s long-pending criminal cases.

Attack during Mehendi ceremony

According to the police, the incident occurred in 2015 during a Mehendi ceremony at Akash Bhavan, where an argument reportedly broke out between Ashok Kumar Kottari and another accused, Jaggu.

The dispute soon escalated into violence. Police said Chunki Akash Bhavan, along with his associates Ranjith, Dhanu, Dhooma, Sweety alias Naresh and Jaggu, allegedly attacked Ashok Kumar Kottari with swords.

The victim sustained grievous injuries in the assault and survived the attack. Based on the complaint, a case of attempt to murder was registered at the Kavoor Police Station under Crime No. 135/2015, and an investigation was launched.

Accused remained on the run for 11 years

While the investigation continued, Chunki Akash Bhavan allegedly managed to evade arrest from the very day the case was registered. Despite repeated efforts by investigators, he remained absconding for nearly 11 years.

As the accused failed to appear before the investigating agency and the court, legal proceedings continued in his absence. The court later issued a Long Pending Case (LPC) Warrant No. 25/2025 against him, directing the police to secure his arrest.

The case remained pending primarily because the main accused could not be traced despite sustained efforts by law enforcement agencies.

CCB tracks suspect through intelligence

The breakthrough came after the City Crime Branch received credible intelligence about the accused’s whereabouts. According to police, CCB officers had been monitoring his movements for a considerable period but had not received any concrete leads until recently.

Based on fresh information, officers learned that Chunki Akash Bhavan was residing in the Shivamogga region. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, a CCB team launched an operation to verify the information and locate the suspect.

The accused was eventually traced to Chikkerur in Haveri district, where he was apprehended on July 29 without incident.

Handed over to Kavoor police

Following his arrest, the accused was produced before the concerned authorities and subsequently handed over to the Kavoor Police Station, which is investigating the case.

Police said further legal procedures will now be carried out in accordance with the pending case. Investigators are also expected to examine the accused regarding the incident and his movements during the period he remained absconding.

CCB’s sustained efforts pay off

Officials said the successful arrest was the result of persistent tracking and coordinated intelligence gathering by the Mangaluru City Crime Branch.

The operation was executed by officers and personnel of the Mangaluru CCB unit, who worked over an extended period to trace the fugitive despite the absence of reliable leads for several years.

The arrest brings renewed momentum to the decade-old attempt to murder case and is expected to facilitate the completion of the pending legal proceedings. Police reiterated their commitment to tracing absconding accused in long-pending criminal cases and ensuring they are brought before the courts to face trial.