The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Nasreen Taj, a key accused in a ₹12.63 crore Syndicate Bank fraud case, after a six-year-long manhunt. To evade arrest, she had changed her name to ‘Salma’ and was living discreetly in Bengaluru.
The CBI had originally registered the case on April 15, 2009, against then Syndicate Bank Mandya Branch Manager Asadullah Khan and eight others for criminal conspiracy, forgery, and defrauding the bank. Nasreen, who had no independent source of income, was accused of colluding with her husband Asadullah Khan and others to fraudulently secure ₹55 lakh in agricultural loans and a temporary overdraft (TOD) of ₹1.2 crore. The funds meant for agricultural development were illegally diverted to repay TOD amounts.
Despite a chargesheet filed on October 12, 2010, Nasreen failed to appear in court or respond to multiple summons and non-bailable warrants (NBWs) issued from April 30, 2019. On November 27, 2021, a special court in Bengaluru ordered the seizure of her properties.
Over the years, Nasreen severed ties with her family and frequently changed residences to avoid detection. She misled locals and employers by assuming a new identity, and kept interactions minimal.
Using advanced tracking tools and digital footprint analysis, the CBI team traced her to Bengaluru, where she was residing under the false identity of ‘Salma’. She was arrested on July 19 and produced before a competent court in the city.
Officials said the arrest highlights how integrating technology-driven intelligence platforms with sustained field investigations can significantly strengthen law enforcement’s ability to capture long-absconding criminals.
