POCSO suspect swallows locker key at police station in Bengaluru, sent to judicial custody

Bengaluru: High drama unfolded at the Madanayakanahalli police station after a 22-year-old man allegedly attempted suicide while being questioned in a missing person case.

The suspect, identified as Karthik alias Ramu, a native of Ballari, allegedly swallowed a locker key while in custody, triggering panic among police personnel.

A senior police officer said Ramu had been brought in for questioning in connection with a 17-year-old girl reported missing on April 24 and was later traced using mobile tower location data.

Fearing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, the accused allegedly tried to end his life. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital, where he remained under police watch for three days. Doctors later retrieved the key through natural excretion.

After being discharged, he was produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody on Pocso charges.