Kolkata, 19 May (H.S.) : Police in South Dinajpur district on Tuesday arrested notorious criminal Kartik Sarkar alias “Bhola”, who had been absconding for a long time and was wanted in multiple criminal cases under the Tapan police station area.

Acting on a tip-off, police apprehended the accused from in front of the PWD office in Balurghat.

According to police sources, Bhola was facing at least six serious criminal cases, including charges related to kidnapping, narcotics trafficking and assault. Police had been searching for him for several years.

Investigators said Bhola was one of the key conspirators in the 2021 kidnapping of businessman Asim Pramanik near Kardah High School. After the abduction, the victim was allegedly taken to Kaliachak in Malda district, where a ransom demand was made. Police had rescued the businessman during a raid at that time, but Bhola managed to escape and remained on the run since then.

On Tuesday, police personnel noticed a suspicious individual moving around in Balurghat. The accused was reportedly trying to conceal his identity by wearing a cap and face mask. However, officers matched his appearance with existing records and detained him for questioning. His identity was confirmed after the mask was removed.

Police said the accused will be produced before the district court on Wednesday.

The arrest of the long-absconding criminal has brought a sense of relief among local residents, police added.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh