Delhi Crime Branch arrest forgery accused with Rs 50,000 reward on head, absconding for 12 years

New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) In a significant breakthrough, the Central Range of Delhi Police Crime Branch on Monday arrested a proclaimed offender carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 who had been evading arrest for more than 12 years in a sensitive forgery case, involving fake letterheads of prominent political offices and government authorities.

The accused, identified as Manoharan Kandhasamy, was wanted in connection with FIR No. 33/2008 registered under Sections 465 and 468 of the Indian Penal Code at Mandir Marg Police Station, New Delhi.

According to Delhi Police, the arrest concludes a long and challenging manhunt against the accused, who had allegedly misused the judicial process by jumping bail and remaining untraceable for years.

The case has its origins in FIR No. 384/2007 under Section 380 IPC, registered at Mandir Marg Police Station on the complaint of Vijay Kumar, a resident of Hyderabad. Kumar reported that while staying at a Dharamshala in Delhi, he had kept gold ornaments and other valuables inside an almirah in his room. Upon returning, he found the almirah lock broken and the valuables missing.

During the investigation, police apprehended Manoharan Kandhasamy, who originally hailed from Karnataka. Although the stolen property could not be recovered from his possession, a search conducted during the investigation led to the recovery of several printed and blank letterheads purportedly issued by eminent political offices and government authorities.

Given the seriousness of the matter and its wider implications, both cases were later transferred to the Crime Branch for further investigation.

During the course of the investigation in the forgery case, Kandhasamy was arrested and sent to judicial custody. However, after spending about a month in custody, he was granted bail by the court. Police said that after securing bail, he deliberately failed to appear before the court and absconded, thereby obstructing the judicial process.

In 2014, the Court of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Patiala House Courts, New Delhi, declared him a Proclaimed Offender. Despite extensive efforts by investigators, the accused remained untraceable for several years, leading authorities to announce a reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to his arrest.

After more than a month of sustained technical surveillance and verification, the team identified a mobile number allegedly being used by the accused in Tamil Nadu. Acting on this lead, police initiated continuous surveillance and field inquiries in the state.

The operation ultimately led investigators to Tiruchengode in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. On August 4, the accused was traced to a godown on the outskirts of the town, where he was reportedly engaged in the poultry business. He was subsequently arrested by the Crime Branch team.

During interrogation, Kandhasamy admitted that after being released on bail, he intentionally absconded due to fears of being sent back to jail and facing conviction in the case. He told investigators that he severed ties with former associates, changed his place of residence, and relocated to Tamil Nadu to avoid arrest.

Police said he had settled there with his family, established a livelihood, and continuously concealed his identity and whereabouts from law enforcement agencies.

Manoharan Kandhasamy, approximately 62 years old, originally belongs to Mangaluru in Karnataka. He has been residing with his family in Tiruchengode, Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu, for several years. Married and a father of two children, he is engaged in the poultry business and operates a poultry farm that serves as the primary source of income for his family.

–IANS

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