Udupi: City police have arrested a man who had been absconding for nearly 15 years after being involved in multiple criminal cases registered under the jurisdiction of the Udupi Town Police Station.
The accused has been identified as Vighneshwar Aithal (56), a native of Koravadi Road in Kumbhashi in Kundapur taluk. Police said he had been living in a rented house at RK Mutt Layout in Bengaluru while evading arrest for several years.
Accused involved in 10 cases
According to the police, Aithal had been implicated in a total of 10 cases registered at the Udupi Town Police Station. The cases were registered against him in 2011.
Despite the charges, the accused remained absconding for several years and did not appear before the court during the legal proceedings.
Police officials said that charge sheets had already been filed in all the cases and submitted to the court soon after the investigations were completed.
Court issued multiple warrants
As the accused failed to appear before the court for nearly 15 years, the court issued warrants against him more than 10 times.
However, he continued to evade the authorities during this period. Due to his prolonged absence, the court eventually declared him an absconding accused.
Police officials said the case remained pending for several years because of the accused’s continued failure to appear before the court.
Police team traced accused in Bengaluru
Acting on fresh leads, the police launched a renewed effort to trace the accused. The operation was carried out under the guidance of Udupi Town Police Station Inspector Mahesh Prasad.
A special team led by Sub-Inspector Bharatesh Kankanwadi, along with staff members Prasanna C., Ramesh and Anand, tracked the accused to Talaghattapura in Bengaluru.
The team successfully apprehended Aithal on March 5 after confirming his whereabouts.
Produced before court and remanded
Following his arrest, the accused was brought to Udupi and produced before the court on March 6.
The court remanded him to judicial custody for further legal proceedings.
Police officials said the arrest brings closure to a long-pending case and demonstrates the department’s continued efforts to track down absconding accused even after many years.