Pudukkottai: A 23-year-old migrant labourer from Odisha, arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl, escaped from police custody late on Tuesday while being taken to Pudukkottai sub-jail in Tamil Nadu.
The incident took place just hours after a local court remanded him to 14 days’ judicial custody.
The accused, identified as Mahendira Kamanga, was arrested by the Alangudi All Women Police Station after the minor victim was found pregnant following the alleged assault. He worked at a hollow-block manufacturing unit in Karamadakudi area of Pudukkottai district.
A massive manhunt has been launched to recapture the fugitive. Search operations are underway across Pudukkottai and neighbouring districts, with police checking bus stands, railway stations and other transport hubs. A probed into the circumstances that enabled the escape is also underway, The New Indian Express reported.