Mangaluru (Karnataka), Jul 1(PTI) A murder accused who had been absconding for nearly three years after his bail was cancelled by the Supreme Court was arrested near Mangaluru, police said on Tuesday.
The accused was arrested on June 30 and produced before the magistrate today, following which he was sent to judicial custody, they said.
According to police, the accused, Mohammad Mustafa alias Musta, had earlier obtained bail from the Karnataka High Court in 2020 in connection with a daylight murder that took place near Mulki Vijay Sannidhi Highway.
However, the Supreme Court cancelled his bail on April 22, 2022, following which he allegedly fled abroad using a fake passport.
Mustafa is accused of involvement in the murder of Abdul Latif, who was killed on June 5, 2020, allegedly by a group of ten persons. A charge sheet was filed, and the case is currently under trial.
Police sources stated that Mustafa had escaped to Oman using forged documents and illegally re-entered India via Nepal in April 2024. A special team tracked him down and apprehended him on June 30 near his native village of Pakshikere in Mulki taluk.
Separate cases have been registered against him under various sections for illegal immigration, use of forged documents, and absconding from trial.
Police also confirmed that he faces a total of nine criminal cases across multiple districts, including Mangaluru, Chikkamagaluru, and Udupi.