Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Jul 26: The Padubidri police have successfully apprehended an accused who had been on the run for 27 years after confining and raping a minor girl. The accused had evaded court appearances during the trial.

The incident took place on August 6, 1997, when Naseema Banu from Uchila, Padubidri, reported to the police that a girl working at her house had gone missing. A case was registered at Padubidri station under Cr. No. 69/1997 for the missing girl.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the girl had lost her way while going home on August 7 and ended up in Manipal. There, the accused, Jamal from Kundapur, lured her on his motorcycle and kept her confined in a lodge room in Manipal for about 12 days, during which he raped her.

Later, Jamal took the girl to the Udupi bus stand to send her back to her village. However, suspicious lodge staff in Udupi informed the city police, who then detained Jamal.

Upon interrogation, Jamal's criminal activities came to light. A case was registered against him at Padubidri station under Cr. No. 72/1997, sections 365, 366, 376 of the IPC. He was arrested and presented in court, where he was granted bail but subsequently absconded and missed court hearings.

The Udupi District Sessions Court issued an LPC warrant against Jamal, who had been hiding for 27 years.

Following orders from the Udupi District Superintendent of Police, PSI Prasanna M S of Padubidri Police Station, along with ASI Rajesh P, HC Rajesh Herg, and PC Sandesh, tracked down Jamal in the HAL police station jurisdiction of Bengaluru.

Padubidri police gathered information that Jamal was living with his wife and children. On July 25, 2024, they apprehended him near his residence in Bengaluru and presented him to the Udupi court. The court has now remanded Jamal to judicial custody.