Pocso accused escapes jail, attempts suicide hours later

Hyderabad: A 22-year-old inmate lodged in Mahbubnagar jail escaped from custody early Monday morning and allegedly attempted suicide hours later, police said. He is currently undergoing treatment.According to Mahabubnagar town sub-inspector Seenaiah, the inmate was an accused in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act at Amarchinta police station in Wanaparthy district.The incident occurred around 5 am when he went to the washroom. He allegedly used towels to escape through a window and fled the jail premises.After the escape was detected, jail authorities raised an alarm and the superintendent of the prison lodged a complaint with Mahbubnagar town police around 8 am.

Police teams launched a search operation to trace him.At around 5 pm, while efforts to locate the escaped inmate were underway, police received information from Mahabubnagar General Hospital that he had allegedly attempted suicide.“He was taken to the hospital by his father after he took the extreme step near his house. His condition is currently stable,” the SI said.A case has been registered and further investigation is underway.