JAMMU: 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 has been identified as Riyaz Ahmad Matoo of Srinagar, who was wanted in FIR No. 21/2019 registered under Sections 420 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) at Police Station Crime Branch Jammu.
According to Crime Branch 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 followed a prolonged search operation during which investigators tracked the accused through sustained surveillance and field inquiries.
Officials said a special team of the Economic Offences Wing, led by senior officers, 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 currently under investigation by the Crime Branch.
Officials said 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 described the development as a significant breakthrough in the case and said efforts have been intensified to examine 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.
