Accused Man Dies in Custody After Pond Escape

Narayana Rao, a 62-year-old man accused of raping a minor girl, died after jumping into a pond while in police custody. He was arrested for abducting and allegedly raping his 13-year-old neighbor. The incident came to light after a video of the act went viral.

Narayana Rao, aged 62, died under mysterious circumstances on Thursday after leaping into a pond while in police custody in Kakinada district. Rao, previously arrested for the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl, escaped custody on the pretext of using the washroom while being taken to a magistrate.

The police detained Rao on Wednesday following accusations that he lured a minor from her school hostel and sexually assaulted her in an orchard. He faced charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and other related sections.

The incident was brought to light by an orchard owner who filmed a video of Rao and the girl attempting to flee. This footage, which went viral, triggered a police investigation, leading to Rao's arrest.

(With inputs from agencies.)