Mangaluru: The arrested person is identified as Lawrence Melvin D’souza alias Jeevan alias Salman alias Mohammad Salman, aged 32. He is the main accused in a criminal case lodged with Bantwal Police in the year 2012 and had been absconding since the last six years.

The case in which he was accused relates to offences under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) which carries stringent provisions and tough punishment for wrongdoers.

After gaining specific clues of the suspect’s movements, a police team comprising head constables Lokesh and Madhava, and constables Punith and Mohan tracked down the accused while trying to sell fish in Moodabidri town and arrested him on the spot.

He will be produced before the Second Additional Sessions Court in Mangalore for further action, according to a media release issued by Dr. B. R. Ravikanthe Gowda, Superintendent of Dakshina Kannada District Police.