Mangaluru: Ullal police have arrested a 23-year-old man from Bagalkot district in connection with the alleged abduction of a Class 9 student who was on her way to school. The accused allegedly lured the minor girl into a car and took her away.

The arrested man has been identified as Goodusab alias Ashif (23), a mason from Bagalkot district. The police rescued the girl and took the accused into custody at Someshwara on Tuesday night.

According to the complaint, a family from Bagalkot district was living in a rented house near Kallapu in Ullal taluk. The couple’s two minor daughters were studying at a nearby Kannada-medium school.

On Tuesday morning, the parents sent both girls to school as usual. However, the family received an unexpected call from a teacher later in the day, informing them that the elder daughter had not reached school.

Girl had complained about accused following her

The girl’s mother reportedly told the police that her daughter had earlier mentioned that Ashif was following her near the school and approaching her to speak with her.

The accused had reportedly been warned about his conduct. Despite this, he allegedly lured the girl away while she was on her way to school and abducted her.

Concerned about her daughter’s disappearance, the mother approached Ullal police station on Tuesday evening and lodged a complaint seeking action against the accused and help in tracing the girl.

Based on the complaint, the police registered a case and initiated efforts to locate the missing student.

Ullal police rescue minor, arrest accused

Acting on the complaint, Ullal police traced the accused to Someshwara and took him into custody on Tuesday night. The minor girl was also rescued during the operation.

Following the rescue, the police recorded the girl’s statement and registered a case against the accused based on the information gathered during the investigation.

The accused was subsequently produced before the court.

The swift action by Ullal police led to the recovery of the girl on the same day her disappearance was reported. Further investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction and the accused’s conduct before the incident.