Pocso accused jumps into Tawi river, missing

JAMMU: A 25-year-old man, who was facing trial in a POCSO case, jumped off a bridge into the Tawi river here on Tuesday afternoon.the accused, who was not traced when reports last poured in, has been identified as Akshay Kumar, son of Kirpal Chand of Janak Nagar, Janipur.

He had alleged harassment by the Janipur police, government hospital authorities and the minor rape survivor’s family.

His friend Shan Ahmad said, “Around 1.45pm, he jumped into the Tawi river. At 1.42pm, he had sent me two videos from his cellphone wherein he blamed the administration, health department and survivor’s kin for the extreme step. He said Janipur police had been harassing him for getting his Covid test done before being sent to jail, while the hospital asked him to bring a police order for it.”

Akshay had got interim bail on March 13, citing ill health of his father. However, on Monday, the court refused to extend his bail.

About the allegations, SHO Naresh Sharma said there were no court orders for police to get his Covid-19 test conducted.

The accused didn’t want to go to jail and hence was frustrated, the cop said.