Fearing arrest in child sex abuse case, 65-year-old man drinks toilet cleaner in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: A 65-year-old man, accused in a child sexual abuse case, died after allegedly consuming toilet cleaner at his home in Kengeri, western Bengaluru, fearing arrest, police said on Monday.

The deceased, Ambarish, an employee of a private company, was accused of sexually harassing a nine-year-old girl in his neighbourhood on October 8.

Following a complaint from the child’s parents, police had booked him under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. 

Fearing imminent arrest, Ambarish reportedly consumed the chemical at his residence. Relatives later found him unconscious and rushed him to a hospital, where he died on Monday morning, police said.

The Kengeri police have registered an Unnatural Death Report (UDR) and are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.