Runaway rape accused nabbed in Gujarat

MUMBAI: A 21-year-old rape accused, who had fled from police custody with handcuffs on when he was being taken to court, was tracked down to Vapi in

Gujarat

and re-arrested. Avinash Yadav was trying to flee to his hometown in Uttar Pradesh, the police said.

Yadav had eloped with a 17-year-old girl. Her family filed a complaint and on June 26, Yadav was arrested and booked on rape charges.

After giving the police the slip on June 30, Yadav went to his sister’s place, where his brother-in-law agreed to drive him to UP in his truck. When the police questioned the sister, they learnt of the escape plan. The police intercepted the truck at Vapi on July 2 and re-arrested Yadav.

(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)