J&K Police arrests seventeen (17) long-time absconders across Valley

SRINAGAR: In a major breakthrough to track down fugitives, Jammu and Kashmir Police have apprehended Seventeen (17) long-time absconders from Srinagar, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Shopian districts & PD Sopore. These individuals had been evading arrest for years, some for over three decades.

In Srinagar, J&K Police have successfully apprehended 06 absconders who had been evading arrest for years. The arrested absconders have been identified as Mehraj-ud-Din Marazi, son of Mohd Abdullah Marazi, resident of Sonwar, Srinagar, absconding for 11 years in Case FIR No. 21/2015 under Sections 8/21, 22, 29 NDPS Act of PS Lalbazar. Arshid Ahmad Shoora, son of Ab Rashid Shoora, resident of Bota Kadal, Lalbazar (presently at Hamchi Saidpora, Hazratbal, Srinagar) evading arrest for 8 years in a case registered under the NI Act of PS Lalbazar. Habibulla Bhat, son of Ab Samad, resident of Kralpora Kupwara, A/P Lalbazar evading arrest for 27 years in Case FIR No. 39/1998 U/S 294 RPC of PS Shergarhi. Gowhar Ahmad Wani, son of Wali Mohammad Wani, resident of Arigam, Budgam evading arrest for 4 years in Case FIR No. 52/2021 U/S 379, 511 IPC of PS Shergarhi. Mashooq Ahmad Sheikh, son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, resident of Ramnagri Shopian, A/P Gulshan Nagar, Nowgam, Srinagar evading arrest for 4 years in Case FIR No. 119/2009 U/S 379 RPC of PS Shergarhi. Uneeb Mukhtiyar Nathkhan, son of Mukhtiyar Nathkhan, resident of 90 Feet Road, Soura absconding for 16 years in Case FIR No. 119/2009 U/S 379 RPC of PS Shergarhi. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Srinagar Police formed a special team which carried out targeted operations leading to the successful apprehension of these long-time absconders. After completing all legal formalities, the accused were produced before the Hon’ble Court at Srinagar.

In Pulwama, J&K Police arrested two long-term absconders who had been evading arrest for decades. The arrested individuals have been identified as Ab. Salam Dar, son of Gh. Qadir Dar, resident of Chowan Keller involved in FIR No. 113/1998 under Section 7/25 I.A. Act of PS Rajpora. The accused had been absconding for the last 25 years. Mohd. Ayoub Tedwa, son of Mohd. Ramzan Khanday, resident of Thairnoo Keller involved in FIR No. 39/2003 under Sections 457, 380 RPC of Police Station Rajpora. The accused had been absconding for the past 10 years. Acting on specific information, a special team from Police Station Rajpora was constituted which successfully traced and apprehended both absconders from different locations. After completion of legal formalities, the arrested persons were produced before the Hon’ble Court of Law.

Moreover, J&K Police arrested a wanted individual who had been evading arrest for a long period of time. The arrested person has been identified as Mehraj Ud Din Rather son of  Abdul Rahim Rather resident of  Arigam Chirath. A complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act was filed against him before the Hon’ble Court of CJM Pulwama. However, the said individual continuously evaded the legal process, due to which the Hon’ble Court declared him an absconder. Acting on specific input, a police team from Pulwama Police apprehended the absconder and completed all legal formalities. The arrested individual was produced before the Hon’ble Court of Law.

In Ganderbal, J&K Police has arrested an absconder who was evading his arrest for 27 years. The arrested individual has been identified as Lateef Ahmad Khuroo son of Habibullah Khuroo resident of Bemina Srinagar, wanted in case FIR No. 69/1998 U/S 457, 380 RPC. The accused person was apprehended by J&K Police during a special operation and was produced before the Hon’ble Court JMIC Ganderbal for further legal proceedings.

In Shopian, J&K Police have apprehended three long term absconders who had been evading arrest for several decades. They have been identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Doobi, son of Ab. Salam Doobi, resident of Chotigam Shopian wanted in FIR No. 369/1988 under sections 436A, 379 RPC of Police Station Shopian. Ab. Rashid Khan, son of Mangta Khan, resident of Manloo Shopian wanted in FIR No. 162/1987 under sections 353, 427 RPC of Police Station Shopian. Mohd. Yousuf Mir, son of Mohd. Abdullah Mir, resident of Wangam Achabal Anantnag wanted in FIR No. 360/2000 under sections 454, 380 RPC of Police Station Shopian. These individuals were involved in various criminal cases and had been deliberately evading the due process of law for over three decades. The arrested accused have been produced before the Hon’ble Court, Shopian, for further legal proceedings.

In Kulgam, J&K Police have apprehended 02 long-time absconders in Kulgam, The arrested individuals have been identified as Mohd Ismail Bhat, son of Mohd Ramzan Bhat, resident of Alamgunj, Shopian and Showkat Ahmad Dar son of Mohd Yaqoob Dar resident of Khanaywapora Qaimoh. Mohd Ismail Dar was wanted in connection with FIR No. 48/1984 registered under sections 148, 149, 323, and 452 RPC and Showkat Ahmad Dar was wanted in connection of case FIR No 183/2016 U/S 151, 153 RPC, 7/25 A act at Police Station Kulgam. A warrant under sections 299/512 CrPC, issued by the Hon’ble Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Kulgam, had been pending against the accused persons. Acting on credible inputs, a special police team from Police Station Kulgam successfully traced and arrested the absconders. They were subsequently produced before the Hon’ble Court of Law for further legal proceedings.

In Sopore, J&K Police arrest two long-evading absconders, including one wanted in a 24-year-old case. The arrested persons have been identified as Mohammad Akbar Khan, son of Shair Ali Khan, resident of Arkhairwari Rohama was wanted in Case FIR No. 33/2001 U/S 376, 511, 354, 456 RPC of PS Panzala.  He had been evading the law in this 24-year-old case. Altaf Ahmad Rather, son of Gh. Nabi Rather, resident of Warpora Sopore, wanted in Case FIR No. 40/2016 U/S 457, 380 RPC & 3/181 MV Act of Police Station Sopore.  He had been evading arrest since 2019. After completion of legal formalities, Mohammad Akbar Khan was produced before the Hon’ble 1st Additional Sessions Judge Baramulla, while Altaf Ahmad Rather was produced before the Hon’ble DMM Court Sopore.

The successful arrest of long-absconding accused persons reflects the firm commitment of J&K Police to bring offenders to justice, irrespective of the passage of time.  J&K Police remains committed to upholding the rule of law, ensuring accountability, and delivering justice; proving once again that justice may be delayed, but it will never be denied.