Idukki: A man who had been absconding after being convicted in a nurse assault case was arrested after 22 years, police said. The accused, Chinnappan (54), a native of Aranakkal, was taken into custody by Vandiperiyar police from Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu.

He was among four accused in a 1999 case in which a nurse was allegedly assaulted by a group at Aranakkal Estate. In 2004, a court sentenced all four to six months' imprisonment. However, Chinnappan went absconding while out on appeal and could not be traced despite repeated efforts by the police.

With elections approaching, police intensified efforts to track down long-pending warrant accused. Acting on a tip-off, a special team traced and arrested Chinnappan after more than two decades.

The operation was led by Vandiperiyar Circle Inspector Amrith Singh Nayak, along with Sub-Inspector T S Jayakrishnan, Assistant Sub-Inspector S Subair and Civil Police Officer M Fazal.

The accused will be produced before the court.