Rape accused dies while trying to escape from police custody

A 23-year-old accused in a rape case died while attempting to escape from the police custody in suburban Borivali, a senior police official said today.

"We had summoned one Salman Patel in connection with a complaint filed by a girl with Aarey police, a day ago," said an official attached to Aarey police station.

"When the youth was at Aarey police station we got a call from Gorai police enquiring about Patel, who was booked in a rape case there last month.

"He was then taken into custody by Gorai police after completing all the formalities," he said.

Patel was brought to Gorai early today, said another senior official.

"He was being taken to hospital this morning for a medical checkup when he tried to escape by pushing aside a cop escorting him. As the police started chasing him he jumped into the sea near Palm Beach. Police tried to rescue him but he got drowned," the official said.

His body was recovered from the sea at around 3 PM this afternoon, police said.

Police have registered a case of accident, the officer said.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)