New Delhi, July 25 : The Central District Police have arrested a proclaimed offender who had been evading judicial proceedings for several years in connection with a 2014 theft case.

The accused, identified as Malkhan alias Saleem (33), was apprehended by a team from Police Station Dariyaganj following sustained surveillance and local Intelligence inputs.

According to an official press release issued by the Central District Police on Saturday, the arrest was made as part of the ongoing special drive against proclaimed offenders aimed at tracing and apprehending absconding accused persons.

Police said Malkhan alias Saleem, a resident of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, had been absconding for several years to avoid legal proceedings. The release stated that â??the accused had been evading judicial proceedings to avoid punishmentâ?? and was ultimately traced through continuous technical surveillance and local Intelligence gathering.

A dedicated police team comprising Head Constable Mahaveer, Head Constable Sunil, and Constable Bhupender was constituted under the supervision of the SHO, PS Dariyaganj, and the overall supervision of the ACP, Dariyaganj, to trace the absconding accused.

According to the police, the team conducted multiple raids, including at the accusedâ??s residence, but he remained untraceable. Investigators continued to develop technical inputs while relying on secret informers to monitor his movements.

The breakthrough came on July 24, when police received specific information that the accused was present near Kashmiri Gate Bus Stop in Delhi. Acting promptly on the tip-off, the police team reached the location and apprehended Malkhan alias Saleem.

The official press release said, â??On 24.07.2026, specific information was received that the accused was present at Bus Stop Kashmiri Gate. Acting swiftly, the team reached the location and, at the instance of the informer, apprehended Malkhan @ Saleem from Bus Stop Kashmiri Gate.â??

During verification, police found that the accused had been declared a Proclaimed Offender by the Court of Dr Raj Kumar Singh, JMFC-05, Central, Tis Hazari Courts, on January 13, 2026, in connection with FIR No. 401/2014, registered under Sections 379, 356, 411, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at PS Dariyaganj.

Police also revealed that Malkhan alias Saleem has an extensive criminal history. According to the press release, 54 criminal cases have been registered against him, making him a habitual offender with multiple previous involvements.

The accused has been taken into custody, and further legal proceedings are being carried out in accordance with the law. Police said the arrest is part of their sustained efforts to track down proclaimed offenders and ensure that individuals evading judicial processes are brought before the courts.

/IANS