Belthangady: Fugitive in sandalwood theft case apprehended after 27 years

Team Udayavani, Aug 24, 2023, 8:35 PM IST

Belthangady police have successfully apprehended a long-sought individual who had been absconding for an astonishing 27 years. The accused, who was initially under judicial custody for his involvement in a sandalwood theft case, had been released on bail but failed to appear in court, triggering nearly three decades of evasion.

The arrested individual has been identified as SA Ashraf, a resident of Kundapu House in Vorkady village within the Manjeshwar taluk of the neighboring Kasaragod district. It has come to light that he managed to remain concealed in Mumbai and even overseas in Saudi Arabia during his extended period of fugitive status.

Sources from the police department revealed that the accused was facing a case registered at Kasaragod Police Station, as per LPC records under Sections 125/2004 Sections 279, 304 (A). Additionally, cases filed at Uppinangady and Konaje Police Stations, related to violations of the Forest Act, are also pending trial against him.