Jammu, June 11: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Jammu on Thursday arrested an accused who had allegedly been evading arrest for nearly seven years in connection with a cheating and criminal conspiracy case registered in 2019.
The accused, identified as Riyaz Ahmad Matoo of Srinagar, was wanted in FIR No. 21/2019 registered under Sections 420 and 120-B RPC at Police Station Crime Branch Jammu.
According to officials, the accused had remained absconding since the registration of the case and allegedly avoided arrest by frequently changing his place of residence and concealing his whereabouts at different locations within and outside Jammu and Kashmir.
The arrest follows a prolonged search operation during which Crime Branch investigators tracked the accused through sustained surveillance and field inquiries.
Officials said a special team led by senior officers of the Economic Offences Wing conducted operations in Srinagar and ultimately apprehended the accused from an interior area of the city.
The case pertains to allegations of fraud and cheating being investigated by the Crime Branch. A preliminary chargesheet had already been filed before a court in Jammu against two accused persons, while the arrested accused had remained beyond the reach of law enforcement agencies.
With the latest arrest, investigators believe they have made a significant breakthrough in the case and intensified efforts to unravel the wider circumstances surrounding the alleged fraud.
Crime Branch officials said further investigation is underway.
Senior Superintendent of Police Faisal Qureshi appealed to members of the public to report incidents of fraud and economic offences so that appropriate legal action can be initiated against those involved. [KNT]
