Alathur: A man who evaded police for nearly 4 years by disguising himself as a swami was finally arrested. The accused, identified as 51-year-old Shivakumar from Chittilanchery, was taken into custody by the Alathur police.

Shivakumar had been accused in a POCSO case in 2021, in which he allegedly assaulted and impregnated a 13-year-old girl. He was remanded and later released on conditional bail but soon absconded.

To evade arrest, Shivakumar took refuge in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, where he lived in and around the temple premises. Growing his hair and beard long and donning saffron robes along with rudraksha malas, he posed as a spiritual figure and conducted rituals in households by concealing his true identity for years.

His disappearance had left the police baffled, especially as he didn’t use any mobile phones, leaving behind no traceable leads. Following directives from the District Police Chief to trace and arrest him, a special investigation team led by DySP N Muraleedharan and Inspector TN Unnikrishnan was formed.

During a detailed scientific investigation, police obtained crucial intelligence confirming his presence in the vicinity of Tiruvannamalai temple. Despite his changed appearance, it was not possible for him to evade the investigators.