Thiruvananthapuram | An accused in a case related to the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl escaped from a court premises in Nedumangad near here on Friday, police said.

The escaped accused has been identified as Nithin Raj (31), a native of Arasuparambu near Nedumangad.

According to police, Raj is the fourth accused in the case registered in 2022 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

He appeared before the Special POCSO Court in Nedumangad along with his lawyer on Friday afternoon.

After the court remanded him to judicial custody, Raj allegedly fled from the court premises.

sconding.

Police personnel attempted to chase him but failed to apprehend him.

An investigation has been launched into the incident, police said.

Police officials said two accused have so far been arrested in the case, while apart from Raj, another accused also remains ab