Mangaluru: A team led by the assistant commissioner of police (ACP), Mangaluru North Sub-Division, has arrested a 54-year-old man who had been absconding since 2020 after being convicted in a fake passport case.

The accused has been identified as Velayudhan (54), son of Ammanniyan and a resident of Bevinje House, Thekkil Peri Post, Bevinje village in Kasaragod district, Kerala.

Attempted overseas travel using fake passport

The case dates back to June 22, 2010, when Velayudhan, then aged 37, attempted to travel abroad through Bajpe Airport using a fake passport.

Immigration officials at the airport, including K M Chandrashekhar and others, detected the irregularity and took Velayudhan into custody. He was subsequently handed over to the Bajpe police station.

Based on a complaint lodged by the immigration officials, Bajpe police registered a case under Crime No. 141/2010.

The case was registered under Sections 419, 420 and 468 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with Sections 12(1)(b), 12(1)(d) and 12(1)(e) of the Passport Act, 1967.

Court sentences accused to imprisonment

The investigating officers conducted the investigation and subsequently submitted a charge sheet before the competent court.

On December 1, 2020, the Sessions Court convicted Velayudhan and sentenced him to one year and six months’ imprisonment.

Following the conviction, Velayudhan challenged the order before the Karnataka High Court by filing Criminal Revision Petition No. 104/2021.

However, the High Court dismissed his petition, upholding the proceedings against him.

Remained absconding after High Court order

Following the dismissal of his petition, Velayudhan remained absconding and could not be arrested by the police.

The authorities continued efforts to trace him. After several years, the police team led by the ACP of Mangaluru North Sub-Division succeeded in apprehending him on October 8.

The arrested man was subsequently handed over to Bajpe police station for further legal action.

Police trace long-pending accused

The arrest brings an end to the long period during which Velayudhan remained unavailable to the police despite his conviction and the dismissal of his challenge before the High Court.

The police are now proceeding with further action in accordance with the court order and applicable legal provisions.