Mangaluru (Karnataka), February 18 Police announced on Wednesday that they had arrested a 42-year-old man, alleged to be a notorious criminal, who had been on the run for nearly nine years and was wanted in multiple serious criminal cases across Mangaluru and Udupi.
Speaking at a press conference, Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said that the accused, Sajwan Hussain of Haleangady, is allegedly involved in about 21 cases registered with the Mangaluru City police and several police stations in Udupi.
The cases include two murders, four attempted murders, a gang rape, five robberies, kidnapping, extortion, assault on police personnel, theft, snatching, assault inside prison, unlawful assembly, rioting, criminal intimidation, and conspiracy and preparation for robbery.
Police stated that Hussain had evaded arrest for several years despite multiple court-issued warrants.
Authorities added that he was convicted by the High Court on February 28, 2020, in connection with a 2008 kidnapping, robbery, and murder case registered at the Mulki police station and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
In another 2008 robbery case registered at the Karkala police station, he received a three-year prison term from a trial court.
Police said that 13 cases against Hussain are currently pending trial, with arrest warrants active, while in five other cases, courts have declared him a long-standing accused.
Further investigation is ongoing, they added.