A criminal offender who was wanted by the Kariapatti police in Virudhunagar district for over two decades was finally caught in neighbouring Keralam on Sunday.In 2001, a complaint of waylaying was reported in Kattangudi village near Aruppukottai. The police registered a case and zeroed in on the suspect. However, before he could be caught, he gave the police the slip and remained underground.Months and years passed, but the police intelligence remained active. Finally, a definite clue about the suspect helped a police team travel to Keralam.The accused in the 2001 case was identified as Aravind alias Aravindan. However, when the special team reached Keralam, they were surprised to find that the suspect had changed his name to Mohamed Bilal. To establish that he was not Aravindan, he had allegedly managed to obtain an Aadhaar card and other documents in the name of Bilal.The team nabbed him at Salakudi, where he reportedly confessed to having indulged in impersonation and admitted that he had changed his name to avoid suspicion.Appreciating the team, Superintendent of Police Gautam Goyal said that the special team led by Sub-Inspector Veeranan had brought the accused from Keralam. A discreet probe by DSP Vignesh and others revealed the modus operandi of the accused.After registering a case, the accused was produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody. Published - September 06, 2026 08:50 pm IST