Mangaluru: A 78-year-old man who had been absconding for 55 years in connection with a sandalwood smuggling case was arrested by Dakshina Kannada police from Malappuram, Kerala.

The accused, identified as C.R. Chandran from Malappuram, had a case registered against him at Puttur Rural Police Station in 1970 under Sections 154 and 155(2) of the Mysore Forest Rules, 1969, and Section 86 of the Mysore Forest Act.

According to police, on July 26, 1970, Chandran was allegedly involved in smuggling sandalwood when his vehicle was intercepted at the Bulerikatte check-post. A case was filed against him, but he failed to appear in court, following which a warrant was issued.

Chandran was finally traced near Ramanattukara and produced before the court after his arrest.