New strategy against absconders a success in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government has managed to reduce the number of absconding accused from around 21,000 to 19,000 after the implementation of a new scheme.

Keeping the matter for hearing on September 17, a division bench of Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice PD Kode observed: “The new scheme introduced is working satisfactorily.” 

Additional public prosecutor Ajey Gadkari informed the Bombay high court on Tuesday that they have apprehended 131 absconding accused in the city after a special drive was initiated in April this year.

As per the scheme, the deputy commissioner of police (DCP) of each zone heads a team to trace absconding accused.  Also, a high-powered committee has been formed which is headed by the principal secretary, home department, who reviews the situation every month, said Gadkari.

Initially, when the high court had taken suo moto cognisance, over 22,000 persons were found to be not traceable, majority of whom were from Mumbai.

As on July 31, that figure has come down to 19,899, added Gadkari. The committee also found that 2,404 of the names were repeated in cases where there was more than one offence registered against one accused.