Accused runs away from police custody

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaore, Sep 12, 2014 : An inquiry has been ordered into an incident involving an accused, who had been arrested for attempting to molest a 13-year-old girl, running away from police custody.

On Monday, Mohammed Ashraf allegedly attempted to molest the girl in her house in Puttur. When the girl screamed, Mr. Ashraf reportedly escaped from the back door. As he tried to escape in an autorickshaw, residents caught him and handed him over to the Puttur Town police. But Mr. Ashraf escaped from police custody. He was caught again on Wednesday. Additional Superintendent of Police T.P. Shivakumar said a possible police lapse will be looked into.

Residents have expressed their anguish over the lapse on the part of police that led Ashraf to escape in the first place. Mr. Ashraf has been accused under Section 354 (sexual assault) and 448 (house trespass) of the Indian Penal Code, and under the provisions of Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act.