Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)
Udupi, Mar 31: The man who was accused in the alleged rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl in Manipal escaped from the police while being escorted back to jail here on Sunday March 31.
Hanumanthappa (30) was arrested on Friday, March 29, in connection with the rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl at Sagri in Manipal.
On Sunday, the Manipal police produced him before the judge at the latter's house. The judge remanded him judicial custody for 14 days.
The accused was then escorted back to the jail in a Hoysala vehicle by two constables. However, he managed to escape by running into the woods.
It is not yet known when exactly he escaped, whether on reaching the jail or midway. Police said that while escaping, he threw away his shirt. He was wearing green trousers.
Both Manipal and Hiriadka police have launched a manhunt for Hanumanthappa. The police have also asked the public to inform the Udupi district control room if he is spotted.
Hanumanthappa is accused of raping and murdering a girl who was working in a shop in Udupi on March 9. He had allegedly befriended the victim and promised to give her a better job. He then allegedly took her to a wooded area and raped her. When she threatened to complain to her parents, he allegedly strangled her to death.