Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (EP)

Kasargod, Apr 8: An accused in a fake currency case who was absconding from many years was arrested by the district crime branch here on Friday April 8.

The accused, identified as M Shareef (48), hails from Krishnapura of Suratkal, Mangaluru.

Shareef had been absconding from many years. He is a prime accused in a fake currency racket that was busted in the limits of Hosadurg police in 2002.

He was arrested, but in 2008 he went absconding. He also failed to appear for court hearings.

The police had been hunting for him since 2008, but in vain.

It is learnt that he had been hiding in several places in Karnataka under names such as Aaron and Muneer. He would also change his SIM cards regularly, so it was difficult for the police to keep track of him.

Meanwhile, the police received credible information about his whereabouts, and accordingly, he was arrested by the crime branch officials at Vamanjoor on Friday.

When he saw the police, Shareef tried to escape and the police had to chase him for a fair distance before they succeeded in arresting him.

Further investigations are on.