Srinagar, Oct 17 (KNO): In a major breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to track down fugitives, Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday said to have apprehended nineteen (19) long-time absconders from districts of Kulgam, Anantnag, Shopian, Ganderbal & PD Awantipora.
These individuals had been evading arrest for years, some for over three decades in connection with serious criminal cases, a police spokesman said in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
In Kulgam, two absconders were apprehended and have been identified as Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh, son of Gh. Qadir Sheikh, resident of Nassu Badrahgund, and Bilal Ahmad Ganie, son of Gh. Nabi Ganie, resident of Lalen Ganoor Kulgam, presently residing at Levdora near Railway Bridge Qazigund, the spokesman said.
“The accused Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh was wanted in FIR No. 107/2005 under Sections 15/18 NDPS Act of Police Station Qazigund. The accused was arrested near J&K Bank Qazigund after evading arrest for about 20 years. Moreover, Bilal Ahmad Ganie, son of Gh. Nabi Ganie, resident of Lalen Ganoor Kulgam, presently residing at Levdora near Railway Bridge Qazigund, was wanted in FIR No. 223/2006 under Sections 15/18 NDPS Act of Police Station Qazigund. The accused was absconding for around 19 years,” he said.
In Anantnag, J&K Police have successfully apprehended five absconders who had been evading arrest for years in connection with serious criminal offenses, including abduction, rape, and theft, the statement reads.
The arrested absconders have been identified as Mohd Yasin Wani, son of Mohd Maqbool Wani, resident of Brenti Batpora Dialgam, A/P Nagam Kokernag. He was evading arrest in case FIR No. 90/2005 under sections 366, 376 RPC of Police Station Kokernag. Abdul Gani Dar, son of Juma Dar, resident of Pindobal, A/P Singhpora Ashmuqam was wanted in case FIR No. 49/2000 under section 366 RPC of Police Station Kokernag. Sabir Khatana, son of Shafi Khatana, resident of Ahlan Gadole was involved in FIR No. 101/1999 under sections 376, 366, 109 RPC of Police Station Kokernag. Riyaz Ahmad Gigi, son of Mohd Qasim Gigi, resident of Lamed, Kulgam was wanted, in connection with FIR No. 02/2022 and 26/2022 of PS Srigufwara under sections 457, 380, 411, 34, 201 IPC. Manzoor Ahmad Bakerwal, son of Kaloo Bakerwal, resident of Jorda Arnas Reasi, A/P Noorpora Tral was Involved, in case FIR No. 02/2022 and 26/2022 of PS Srigufwara under sections 457, 380, 411, 34, 201 IPC. All five accused were produced before Hon'ble Courts and are now in judicial custody, it reads.
In Shopian, J&K Police apprehended absconder identified as Ab. Rashid Sheikh, son of Ab. Rehman Sheikh, resident of Karewa Manloo, Shopian, the statement added.
“The accused had been absconding since 1989 in connection with FIR No. 160/1989 U/S 379 RPC, 6 Forest Act, and a warrant under Section 512 CrPC had been issued against him by the Hon’ble Court of Law. The accused was wanted for his involvement in a criminal case and had been deliberately evading the due process of law for more than three decades. The accused has been produced before the Hon’ble Court, Shopian, for further legal proceedings,” police said.
In Ganderbal, J&K Police has traced and arrested 02 absconders who were evading arrest for more than three decades, the spokesman said, adding that the arrested individuals have been identified as Shabir Ahmad Pakhtun son of Lala Din Pakhtun resident of Wangath, and Mohd Lateef Khatana son of Gami Khatana resident of Wangath, who were wanted in case FIR No.’s 83/1995 U/S 3/25 I.A. Act and 84/1990 U/S 451, 336 RPC.
The accused persons were apprehended during a special police operation and produced before the Court JMIC Ganderbal for further legal proceedings, police said.
In Awantipora, J&K Police received non-bailable warrants under section 299 CrPC/ 335 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita issued by the Hon’ble Principal Session Court Pulwama against nine absconders, involved in different cases registered at Police Station Pampore.
They have been identified as Mohd Shafi Bhat S/o Ab Aziz Bhat R/o Drangabal Pampore, Fayaz Ahmad Dar S/O Ghulam Mohd Dar R/O Kadlabal Pampore, Mohd Shafi Mir S/O Mohd Maqbool Mir R/O Kadlabal Pampore, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat S/o Ab. Hamid Bhat R/O Tulbagh Pampore, Mudasir Manzoor Shah S/O Manzoor Ahmad Shah R/o Kadlabal Pampore, Mudasir Ahmad Sofi S/o Gh. Mohd Sofi R/O namblabal Pampore, Faheem Ahmad Darzi S/ O Mohd Ashraf Darzi R/o Namblabal Pampore, Javid Ahmad Mir S/o Ab Majeed Mir R/o Frestabal Pampore and Muzaffar Ahmad Mir S/O Bashi Ahmad Mir R/O Drangbal Pampore.
Accordingly, police said that a special team headed by SHO PS Pampore Inspector Khalid Fayaz under the supervision of SDPO Pampore RP Singh was constituted and the accused persons were arrested from different areas. Subsequently, the arrested accused were produced before the Court of Law.
“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,” the spokesman said—(KNO)