Mangaluru, 1 July

A murder suspect who had been evading authorities for nearly three years was arrested near Mangaluru in the State on 30 June, police confirmed on Tuesday. Mohammad Mustafa, also known as Musta, was apprehended after his bail was revoked by the Supreme Court in April 2022.

In 2020, Mustafa had been granted bail by the State High Court in connection with the murder of Abdul Latif, who was killed on 5 June, 2020, in a violent incident involving ten assailants near Mulki Vijay Sannidhi Highway. However, following the Supreme Court's cancellation of his bail, Mustafa allegedly fled abroad using a fake passport.

Police investigations revealed that he escaped to Oman with forged documents and made his way back to India unlawfully via Nepal in April 2024. A dedicated police team tracked him to his home village of Pakshikere in Mulki taluk.

Following his arrest, Mustafa was presented before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody. He faces multiple criminal charges, including illegal immigration, use of forged documents, and absconding from trial, as well as nine additional cases across several districts, including Mangaluru, Chikkamagaluru, and Udupi.