BENGALURU, April 16: In a disturbing turn of events, Santosh Daniel, accused of molesting a girl in Bharathi Layout near Suddaguntepalya on April 2 midnight, went to great lengths to avoid arrest—including changing his hairstyle, abandoning his phone, and fleeing across states. Police finally arrested him in Naduvilangadi, Malappuram district, Kerala.

Daniel, a 26-year-old test driver of luxury cars, was living in a live-in relationship with a woman named Shubha, a home guard posted at Bellandur police station. She has now been arrested for harbouring him. According to police, Shubha used her knowledge of police procedures to help Daniel evade capture, including advising him to switch off his phones, avoid ATMs, and cut his hair.

Police say Daniel is a habitual offender, with at least three previous instances of molestation, none of which were reported. They are now reaching out to the earlier victims to file formal complaints.

After CCTV footage of the latest assault went viral on April 8, a friend alerted Daniel, who admitted to being the man in the video. Acting on legal advice and Shubha’s suggestions, Daniel fled Bengaluru, traveling via Hosur, Salem, Kochi, Kozhikode, and finally taking shelter with a friend in Kerala—who was unaware of his crimes.

Shubha reportedly gave Daniel Rs 5,000, though police suspect she may have given more. Investigators are awaiting her bank statement to track transactions.

The police had analysed over 600 CCTV camera feeds before finally apprehending Daniel in Kerala on Sunday.