Ahmedabad, June 26: The Ahmedabad Police arrested a 42-year-old man who allegedly absconded from court after being sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in a case involving offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, rape and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, officials said on Friday.

According to the Local Crime Branch (Zone-7), the accused, identified as Sultan alias Manoj Kumar, a resident of Fatehwadi area in Ahmedabad, was apprehended on Thursday evening during a special drive launched ahead of the annual Rath Yatra to trace absconding offenders and strengthen preventive policing.

“The city police commissioner and the joint commissioner of police had directed a coordinated operation to locate wanted and convicted offenders, particularly those involved in serious crimes, to help maintain law and order and ensure public safety during the festival,” officials said.

Acting on these instructions, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-7) Shivam Verma instructed police stations and the LCB to prepare a special action plan using human Intelligence and technical inputs to trace absconding accused.

The breakthrough came while Police Sub-Inspector H.D. Vaghela and his team were patrolling the Zone-7 area.

Police said Head Constables Nashrullakhan and Mahendrasinh, along with Police Constable Irfan, received specific Intelligence that led to the arrest of the accused, who had allegedly fled from the court of the Seventh Additional District and Sessions Judge in Ahmedabad (Rural), after being sentenced.

The accused faces conviction under Sections 363, 366, 376(2)(N), 419 and 114 of the Indian Penal Code, along with Sections 4, 5(L), 6 and 8 of the POCSO Act and Sections 3(2), 3(5-A) and 3(2)(5) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The arrest follows other recent efforts by Gujarat police to track down fugitives. Earlier this week, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrested a life convict in the 1992 Radhika Gymkhana massacre case who had allegedly remained on the run for nearly seven years after jumping parole.

Last month, authorities also launched a manhunt after a convict serving sentences in murder and POCSO cases escaped from Sabarmati Central Jail before being traced.

Srinagar, June 26: Thousands of Shia Muslim mourners joined the 10th Muharram procession on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar city.

The procession started at Bota Kadal and will end in the Zadibal area of the city. Beating their chests and chanting elegies for Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, mourners moved in a highly disciplined manner as authorities had made fervent appeals for discipline, communal harmony, and maintaining the sanctity of the occasion.

A multi-layer security grid has been established with deployment of police, CRPF and other security personnel, while drone surveillance and CCTV monitoring are being used to maintain round-the-clock vigilance, police said.

Meanwhile, in view of the large gathering, Srinagar Police had issued a detailed public advisory urging mourners and the general public to observe Muharram with peace, dignity and discipline.

According to the advisory, participants had been asked to maintain communal harmony, follow all directions issued by the administration and police authorities, cooperate with traffic police and volunteers for smooth movement, ensure that the procession remains confined to the permitted route and purpose, respect the religious sentiments and beliefs of all communities, and protect public and government property while maintaining cleanliness.

Police had also advised the public not to indulge in any unlawful activity or create any law and order situation, not to raise provocative slogans or make inflammatory speeches, not to obstruct traffic or pedestrian movement, and not to damage or misuse public property.

The advisory further said that people should not display provocative banners, posters, placards or flags; should not disrespect the National Flag or glorify any country, organisation or group, and should not carry or display flags or symbols of any country, organisation or group.

It also cautioned against engaging in any activity detrimental to the integrity, sovereignty and unity of the nation.

Srinagar Police appealed to all mourners and citizens to extend full cooperation, stating that public participation and responsible conduct would ensure a peaceful and dignified observance of Youm-e-Ashura.

10th Muharram, also called ‘Youm-e-Ashura’, is observed to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his companions in Karbala at the hands of Umayyad Caliph, Yezid’s army.

The martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, occurred on October 10, 680 CE (10 Muharram 61 AH) at the Battle of Karbala. He was killed by the army of the Umayyad caliph Yazid after he refused to pledge allegiance to a corrupt and unjust ruler.

The tragic event is a defining moment in Islamic history, symbolising the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of truth and standing against tyranny.

In deference to the sentiments of Muslims, 10th Muharram is a public holiday in Jammu and Kashmir.

New Delhi, June 26: The Special Cell of the Delhi Police on Friday arrested gangster Shabir Ali alias Shabir Chaudhary, who led an organised crime syndicate operating across North-East Delhi and the Trans-Yamuna region. Police said the accused had been absconding since April 2025 in a case registered under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

According to a statement issued by the Special Cell on Friday, Shabir Ali was wanted in a 2025 MCOCA case being investigated by the Special Cell. Nine members of his organised crime syndicate have already been arrested in connection with the same case.

The arrest was made by a team of the Special Cell’s NDR unit led by Inspectors Alok Kumar Maurya and Nitu Kumar under the supervision of ACP Ashish Kumar.

Police said that, acting on intelligence gathered through credible human sources and technical surveillance, the team apprehended Shabir Ali from the Shambhu Border in Haryana on June 14 and subsequently brought him to Delhi for further legal proceedings.

During the operation, police recovered one XUV and a scooty from the accused.

According to the Special Cell, Shabir Ali alias Shabir Chaudhary heads the Shabir Chaudhary-Hashim Baba-Anwar Chacha organised crime syndicate. The gang is allegedly active in the Trans-Yamuna and North-East Delhi regions, including Seelampur, Bhajanpura, Maujpur, Shahdara and adjoining districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Police alleged that members of the syndicate have been involved in several cases of extortion, murder, attempt to murder, land grabbing and other serious offences. Investigators also claimed that some members of the gang have been operating from abroad, particularly from Nepal and Dubai.

The Special Cell said it has taken a series of actions against the syndicate in recent months. In one such case, registered as FIR No. 08/2026 under the Arms Act at the Special Cell Police Station, alleged sharpshooter, Sohail alias Alam alias Tohid, was arrested on the intervening night of January 10 and 11. Police recovered one pistol and three live cartridges from his possession.

In another operation linked to FIR No. 303/2025 under the Arms Act, police arrested two alleged gang associates — Jasim alias Aalu and Jahangir alias Ikka — on December 11, 2025. Four pistols and 14 live cartridges were allegedly recovered during that operation.

Police said Shabir Ali is a native of Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh and allegedly entered the criminal world in the mid-1990s through his association with Haji Afzaal of Seelampur. He allegedly became involved in several incidents of firing, murder and gang rivalry across North-East Delhi and the National Capital Region.

According to the police, following the murder of his brother Shamim Ahmed in 2008, Shabir intensified his criminal activities. During his incarceration in previous cases, he allegedly came into contact with several hardened criminals, including Hashim Baba and Anwar Khan alias Chacha, strengthening the organised crime network.

Police said Shabir Ali has previously been arrested in several criminal cases, including one under the MCOCA, and has been involved in 14 criminal cases relating to murder, attempt to murder, extortion and other serious offences. He is also wanted in FIR No. 629/2024, which is being investigated by the Special Cell and is facing a non-bailable warrant issued by a Delhi court in connection with an Arms Act case registered at Bhajanpura Police Station in 2022.

According to the Special Cell, key members of the organised crime syndicate, including Hashim Baba, Anwar Khan alias Chacha, Zoya Khan, Sameer alias Baba, Salim Ahmed alias Salim Pistol, Harsh Pal Singh alias Rubal and Illiyas, are currently lodged in jail under the MCOCA case.