
Chennai police have arrested a man accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act who fled from their custody. The arrest came after a search operation, though officials have not yet disclosed the exact location or duration of the man's escape.
The accused was originally in police custody in connection with a case registered under the Pocso Act. Details of the escape—how it happened and how long the accused remained at large—are still being pieced together by investigators.
Sources indicate the man slipped away from police custody, triggering a search across parts of Chennai. Local police teams were deployed to track him down. The arrest was made without any reported violence or incident.
Officers are now questioning the accused to understand the circumstances of his escape. The Chennai police have not confirmed whether any personnel have been suspended or face disciplinary action for the lapse in custody.
The accused will be produced before a magistrate court, where police are expected to seek custody for further investigation. The Pocso Act provides for stringent punishment, including imprisonment, for sexual offences against children.
Legal experts note that any escape from lawful custody can lead to additional charges under the Indian Penal Code, such as sections 224 or 225, which deal with resistance or escape from confinement. The court will decide on the next steps.
Chennai police have not yet issued a public statement detailing the sequence of events. The department is likely to conduct an internal inquiry into the escape.
The court will hear the case in the coming days, and the police are expected to file a report on the escape and recapture. Questions remain about how the accused managed to flee, and whether any protocols were breached.