Udupi: In a major breakthrough, Malpe police in Udupi district have arrested a man who had been absconding for nearly 15 years after allegedly committing a financial fraud involving fake gold. The accused, identified as Zubair (42), was apprehended on March 22 in Shivajinagar, Bengaluru.
The arrest brings closure to a long-pending case dating back to 2011, in which the accused had failed to appear before the court for years, evading law enforcement agencies.
Fraud case linked to fake gold pledge
According to police records, a case was registered against Zubair in 2011 for allegedly cheating the Kalyanpur Ganapati Vyavasaya Seva Sahakari Sangha. He is accused of pledging fake gold ornaments to secure loans amounting to several lakh rupees.
Officials said the accused had taken advantage of the cooperative society’s lending system by presenting counterfeit jewellery as collateral. Once the loan was disbursed, he reportedly went into hiding and did not respond to legal summons.
Absconding for over a decade
Police stated that Zubair had been evading arrest and court proceedings for nearly 15 years, making it difficult for authorities to trace his whereabouts. Due to his prolonged absence, the case remained pending, prompting renewed efforts to locate him.
Recognising the seriousness of the matter, a special police team was constituted under the guidance of the Udupi Deputy Superintendent of Police and the Malpe Circle Inspector to track down the accused.
Special team tracks down accused
The operation was led by Malpe Police Sub-Inspector Anil Kumar D., along with a team comprising head constables Suresh Kumar, Vishwanath, Bhaskar, and Kubera.
Through sustained efforts and intelligence gathering, the team traced the accused to Shivajinagar in Bengaluru. He was subsequently arrested and brought back to Udupi for further legal action.
Produced before court
Following his arrest, Zubair was produced before the court on March 23. Legal proceedings in the long-pending case are now expected to move forward.
Police officials noted that the arrest demonstrates their commitment to pursuing absconding accused, regardless of the time elapsed since the offence.
Conclusion
The capture of the accused after nearly 15 years highlights the persistence of law enforcement agencies in ensuring justice. Authorities have reiterated that individuals attempting to evade the legal system will eventually be brought to account, no matter how long it takes.