Belagavi Police have arrested and detained a habitual offender, Andha Saleem alias Saleem Kareemuddin Soudagar, under the provisions of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, 1988. The accused is reportedly facing 37 criminal cases across Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa.
According to police sources, this is the first instance of preventive detention under the PIT-NDPS Act since the formation of the Belagavi Police Commissionerate. Saleem, a known repeat offender involved in narcotics, theft, assault, and property-related crimes, has also been accused of murder and attempted murder cases, besides threatening witnesses.
Despite multiple arrests and court proceedings, he continued his criminal activities, spreading fear and disturbing public peace. Acting on the proposal from the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Commissioner Borase Bhushan Gulabrao invoked Section 3(1) of the PIT-NDPS Act, allowing preventive detention of habitual offenders. The competent authority approved the recommendation, and the detention order was executed on October 27, 2025.
Police Commissioner Gulabrao stated that strict enforcement of the PIT-NDPS Act will continue against habitual offenders to maintain peace and public safety in the city.Cases against the Accused :
| Offence | No. of Cases | Conviction | Acquitted | PT | UI |
| NDPS Cases | 12 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| Property Offences | 21 | 5 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Murder | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Attempt to Murder | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Threatening Witness | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 37 | 5 | 26 | 5 | 1 |
