Udupi: A man, arrested in connection with abduction, rape and murder of a 17-year old minor girl, escaped from police custody on March 31, Sunday. The accused was being shifted to Hiriyadka jail in Udupi when he made good his escape.
The accused, identified as Hanumanthappa Bassappa Kambali, a native of Badami in Bagalkot district and a resident of Kaup, was arrested on Saturday Night, March 30 in connection to the rape and murder of a teenager at Sagri in Manipal on March 9.
The accused had been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody after being produced before the magistrate. He was booked under IPC sections 376 A, 366 A and 302, and section 6 of Pocso Act. The accused however, escaped while he was being shifted to Hiriyadka jail.
The accused was caught after intensive investigation by the police. They found the accused through a CCTV footage at two locations showing victim riding pillion on the bike being ridden by the accused. Eventually the accused was nabbed.
The accused had come in contact with the victim in the first week of March and assured her of getting a new and better paying job. He took her to the jungle and raped her. When she threatened to complaint to her parents, he strangled her to death using her shawl.
SP Nisha James has requested assistance from the public and in case any one sees the accused, they are requested to inform the police department immediately by calling the Udupi district control room.
Kamballi is of dark complexion and around 5 foot tall. He was wearing green colour pants. He threw away the shirt he was wearing while escaping from police.
