Police Nab 11 Long-Evading Absconders in Multiple Cases

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested 11 absconders in Sopore and Ganderbal, including two wanted in a criminal case dating back to 1999.

In Sopore, a police team from Police Post Bus Stand apprehended two men — Hilal Ahmad Siraj, son of Abdul Rasheed Siraj, and Abdul Rasheed Siraj, son of Juma Siraj, both residents of Sidiq Colony Sopore. The duo were wanted in Case FIR No. 311/1999 under Sections 376 and 109 of the Ranbir Penal Code at Police Station Sopore and had been evading arrest since 2011. After sustained tracking and field efforts, they were finally traced and taken into custody.

In a separate operation, Police Post Warpora arrested Nazir Ahmad Beigh, son of Gull Beigh, a resident of Botingoo Sopore. He was wanted in Case FIR No. 120/2013 under Sections 379 RPC and 6 Forest Act at Police Station Sopore and had been absconding since 2018. Following completion of legal formalities, the two accused from the 1999 case were remanded to District Jail Baramulla, while Beigh was lodged in Sub-Jail Sopore.

Meanwhile, in Ganderbal district, police apprehended eight individuals who had been evading arrest for years in connection with various criminal cases. The arrested persons were identified as Alam Din Khatana, resident of Anderwan Lar; Nazir Ahmad Takad and Mohd Lateef Takad, both residents of Wangath Kangan; Mohd Shareef Khatana and Mohd Yaqoob Takad, residents of Wangath Kangan; Mohd Amin Takad and Mohammad Qasim Khatana, residents of Machkani Wangath; and Showket Ahmad Bhat, resident of Urpash Ganderbal.

Police said most of the accused were wanted in Case FIR No. 84/1990 under Sections 451 and 366 RPC at Police Station Kangan, while one was wanted in Case FIR No. 21/2015 under Section 379 RPC. All eight had been absconding for decades before being traced and arrested through sustained efforts and technical surveillance. The accused were produced before the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMIC) Ganderbal for further legal proceedings.

Police said the arrests underscore the force’s resolve to ensure accountability and uphold the rule of law. “The successful arrest of these long-absconding accused reflects the firm commitment of Jammu and Kashmir Police to bring offenders to justice, irrespective of the passage of time,” a police spokesperson said.

Authorities reiterated that the police remain dedicated to delivering justice, reaffirming that “justice may be delayed, but it will never be denied.”