Mangaluru: Mangaluru North police have traced and arrested an accused who had been absconding for nearly a decade in connection with a theft case and had repeatedly failed to appear before the court.

The accused has been identified as Prasad (33), son of Uday Poojary and a resident of Kuntalpady in Erlampady village of Karkala taluk in Udupi district.

Theft case registered in 2016

According to police, a case had been registered against Prasad at the Mangaluru North police station under Crime No. 289/2016 for an offence punishable under Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to theft.

During the course of the proceedings, the accused allegedly failed to appear before the court and remained absconding for several years.

As a result of his prolonged absence, the court had converted the matter into a Long Pending Case (LPC).

Police traced accused after nearly a decade

Police officials said efforts were periodically made to trace the accused, who had been evading legal proceedings for almost 10 years.

Acting on specific information, the station house officer and personnel of the Mangaluru North police station succeeded in tracing and apprehending Prasad on June 24.

Investigators also gathered information indicating that other cases had reportedly been registered against the accused at the Hiriyadka, Konaje and Manipal police stations.

Police are verifying the details of the other cases as part of the investigation.

Court remands accused to judicial custody

Following his arrest, Prasad was produced before the jurisdictional court.

The court subsequently ordered that he be remanded to judicial custody.

Police said the arrest reflects their continued efforts to trace accused persons who evade court proceedings and ensure that long-pending cases are brought to their logical conclusion.

Officials added that special drives are periodically conducted to apprehend absconding accused and execute pending warrants in criminal cases.

Further legal proceedings in the matter will continue in accordance with the directions of the court.