Absconding undertrial arrested after 15 years in Hassan police operation

Hassan: In a significant breakthrough, Hassan police have arrested an undertrial prisoner who had been absconding for nearly 15 years after escaping from jail. The accused, identified as Channakeshava, is a native of Nallur village in Sakleshpur taluk.

According to police, Channakeshava was earlier lodged in Sakleshpur jail in connection with multiple serious offences, including attempt to murder, sexual assault, and robbery. In 2011, he managed to escape from custody and had been on the run ever since, evading arrest for over a decade.

Acting on credible information about his whereabouts, police traced the accused to Goa. A special team was formed, which conducted a raid and successfully apprehended him. Investigations revealed that during his time in hiding, the accused frequently changed locations and worked in hotels across cities such as Mumbai and other parts of the country to avoid detection.

At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly employed at a hotel in Goa. Police said his movement across states and use of low-profile jobs helped him remain under the radar for years.

The operation to arrest the accused was carried out under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Shubhanvita. Additional Superintendents of Police Thammaiah and Srinidhi, along with constables Ravi Kabbatti, Somashekar, and Basavaraju, were part of the team that tracked and arrested him.

Police have now brought the accused back to Hassan for further legal proceedings. Officials stated that his arrest brings closure to a long-pending case and demonstrates the department’s commitment to tracking down absconding offenders, regardless of the time elapsed.