Chennai: A 38-year-old man from Perambalur, who had been absconding in connection with an alleged financial fraud and an attempt to acquire land using forged documents, was detained at Chennai Airport shortly after returning from Singapore. The accused, identified as Sampath, was wanted by the Perambalur District Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in connection with complaints involving financial fraud and attempts to acquire properties using forged documents. After he fled abroad, police declared him a wanted accused and issued a Look-Out Circular (LOC) against him at international airports across the country.
According to police, cases related to economic offences had been under investigation against Sampath in Perambalur district. He was allegedly involved in fraudulent financial transactions and had allegedly attempted to acquire land and other properties using forged documents. Based on complaints received in the matter, the Perambalur District EOW had been searching for him. During the course of the investigation, the accused allegedly left the country and remained out of the reach of investigators for a prolonged period.
His stay abroad made it difficult for investigators to secure his custody. The Perambalur police subsequently declared Sampath a wanted accused and issued an LOC against him. The alert was circulated to international airports across the country so that immigration authorities could identify and detain him if he returned to India or attempted to travel through an international airport.
On the morning of Monday, August 17, an IndiGo flight from Singapore arrived at Chennai Airport. As part of the routine immigration process, officials checked the passports and travel documents of passengers arriving on the flight. During the verification, they found that an LOC had been issued against Sampath. After confirming his identity, the immigration officials detained him and handed him over to the Chennai Airport police.
The Perambalur district police were immediately informed about Sampath’s detention. Following the information, a special police team from Perambalur travelled to Chennai to take custody of the accused. The team is expected to bring him back to Perambalur, where investigators will question him in connection with the cases registered against him.
Investigators are now expected to examine the allegations in detail and establish the accused’s alleged role in the financial fraud and property-related offences. Police will also seek to determine whether Sampath acted alone or had assistance from other individuals in preparing or using forged documents to claim rights over properties.
The investigation may also focus on the disputed land and property records, the authenticity of documents allegedly used in the transactions, financial records and communications with the complainants. Investigators are likely to examine whether money was transferred through bank accounts or other channels in connection with the alleged fraud.
Police may also examine Sampath’s activities while he was abroad, including his movements, financial transactions and contacts, as part of the wider investigation. His travel history and the circumstances under which he left India could also be verified. After being brought to Perambalur, the accused is expected to undergo detailed questioning, following which further legal action will be taken based on the evidence gathered during the investigation.
