Udupi: The Padubidri Police have arrested a lorry driver from Maharashtra who had been absconding for 23 years after being convicted in a fatal road accident case that claimed the life of a schoolboy. The accused, identified as Vilas Shinde of Bhor in Pune district, was traced in Pune and brought to Udupi following a long-pending warrant issued by the court.
Convicted in 2002 fatal road accident
According to the police, the accident occurred on September 7, 2002, near Muloor Masjid in Bada village on National Highway 66, within the jurisdiction of the Padubidri Police Station.
Vilas Shinde was allegedly driving a mini goods lorry when he rammed into a schoolboy who was walking along the roadside. The child sustained fatal injuries and died in the accident.
Police investigations concluded that the accident was caused due to rash and negligent driving.
Court convicted driver after trial
Following the investigation, the Padubidri Police filed a charge sheet against the accused before the court.
After examining the evidence and completing the trial, the court found Vilas Shinde guilty of causing the fatal accident through negligent driving.
He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment and fined Rs 1,000.
However, after the verdict, the convicted driver failed to appear before the court to undergo the sentence and remained absconding for more than two decades.
Police trace accused in Pune
As the convict remained on the run, the court issued a Long Pending Case (LPC) warrant against him.
Following directions from Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar, a special police team reopened efforts to trace the absconding convict.
During the investigation, police gathered information indicating that Vilas Shinde was working as a lorry driver in Pune.
Acting on the lead, the police team travelled to Maharashtra, located the accused and arrested him after confirming his identity.
Produced before court
After his arrest, Vilas Shinde was brought to Udupi and produced before the jurisdictional court to face the sentence awarded in the case.
Police said the arrest marks the successful execution of a long-pending warrant and reflects continued efforts to trace absconding convicts even after several years.
Officials added that identifying and apprehending long-absconding offenders remains a priority to ensure that court orders are implemented and justice is carried out.
Conclusion
The arrest of Vilas Shinde brings closure to a case that remained pending for more than two decades after the convict absconded following his conviction. The successful operation highlights the sustained efforts of the Udupi Police in tracing long-absconding offenders and enforcing court warrants.