Mangaluru: The accused in the Manipal minor’s rape and murder case managed to escape on the way to Hiriyadka jail in Udupi on Sunday evening. Police have requested the public to inform them about the whereabouts of accused in case they find him.Udupi SP Nisha James said Hanumantha Basappa Kamballi , 39, gave police the slip while being taken to Hiriyadka prison at 7.30pm.Kamballi had allegedly kidnapped, raped and murdered a 17-year-old girl at Moodusagri of Shivalli village in Udupi district on March 9. He was booked under IPC sections 376 A, 366 A and 302, and section 6 of Pocso Act. The SP had formed three teams to investigate the case. The accused was identified based on a CCTV footage, and police arrested him at Udupi city bus stand on Saturday.The accused, a native of Badami taluk in Bagalkot district, had allegedly lured the girl with a promise of getting her a well-paying job. However, he allegedly took her to an isolated place and committed the crime. According to investigation, the accused strangulated the girl using her dupatta when she screamed and threatened to inform police and her family about the incident.The SP has appealed to the public to inform police department — by calling the Udupi district control room — in case they see the accused. Kamballi is around 5 feet tall, and has dark complexion. He threw away the shirt he was wearing while escaping from police. He was wearing a green-coloured trouser.

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