Kochi: An accused in handcuffs escaped from police custody in West Kochi while being taken back to jail in a private bus from a local court, but was caught from premises of a house within hours. Kadam Khan (24), an Assam native, booked for alleged sexual assault of a woman, made the daring escape when the bus slowed down just before reaching Kazhuthumuttu Junction near Thoppumpaddy in Kochi at 12 noon.
“Two police personnel from Palluruthy police station were escorting him. However, as the bus slowed down, he suddenly attacked them and leaped out of the window. The cops recovered from the shock and began chasing the accused, but they lost him,” police said. Soon the message was given to the control room. The entire police force was alerted and sent on a man hunt. Thanks to the combined ‘combing’ operation of the police and local residents, the accused was found hiding under a staircase of a house at Mundamveli nearly three hours later.
Khan was being taken back to the prison after being produced in a court when he attempted the escape. Thoppumpady police lodged two separate cases — one for the attempted escape and another for the assault on police officers. Khan was booked for allegedly assaulting a woman with the intention of outraging her modesty by Palluruthy police about a month back. According to the victim’s complaint, he forced his way into her house and tried to sexually assault her while she was engaged in domestic chores.
