In a major breakthrough, the CB-CID wing of the Puducherry police has arrested a notorious theft accused who had been evading justice for over 16 years across four different states.

  • Accused Shajith Areeparambil arrested in Malappuram, Kerala, after 16 years.
  • The suspect absconded during the trial stage of a theft case in Puducherry in 2010.
  • The fugitive was involved in multiple crimes across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

In a stunning display of persistence and investigative rigor, the CB-CID wing of the territorial police has successfully apprehended a fugitive who had remained off the radar for more than 16 years. The accused, identified as Shajith Areeparambil, a native of Kannur, Kerala, was arrested on Monday following an extensive manhunt that spanned nearly two decades.

The legal saga began in 2010 when Areeparambil was facing trial for a theft case in Puducherry. However, during the critical trial stage, the accused managed to vanish, leaving the authorities with a cold case and a missing defendant. For sixteen years, the suspect utilized a sophisticated strategy of changing his identity and relocating frequently to stay one step ahead of the law.

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Senior Superintendent of Police (Crime and Intelligence), Nithya Radhakrishnan, revealed during a press conference that the arrest was the result of prolonged surveillance and intelligence gathering. The suspect was eventually tracked down to Malappuram, Kerala, where he was taken into custody.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this arrest highlights a critical failure in early trial monitoring but a triumph for modern inter-state intelligence coordination. The ability of a criminal to operate across four different states—Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka—without being detected underscores the challenges police face with identity fraud and the lack of a centralized, real-time national fugitive database.

"The apprehension of a fugitive after 16 years sends a powerful message that the reach of the law is infinite and no amount of time or identity changes can grant permanent immunity."

Investigations have revealed that Areeparambil was not merely a petty thief but a seasoned criminal. His rap sheet includes a variety of serious offences, including vehicle theft, dacoity, cheating, and property-related crimes. His modus operandi involved blending into different social strata by assuming fake personas, making him a ghost in the system for over a decade.

Did You Know?: In legal terms, when an accused person disappears during a trial, the case often remains 'pending' indefinitely, creating a significant backlog in the judicial system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How did the accused avoid arrest for 16 years?
The accused frequently changed his identity and place of residence across multiple states to evade police surveillance.

Q2: Which police unit carried out the operation?
The arrest was executed by the CB-CID wing of the territorial police under the leadership of SSP Nithya Radhakrishnan.