Aizawl: A 20-year-old man who had been arrested in connection with the death of a 15-year-old girl in Lunglei district escaped from police custody around midnight on Monday, officials said on Tuesday, triggering a search and an internal review by senior officers.
Accused remanded after SIT probe; escape discovered late night
The suspect, identified as Denghmingthanga of Mualthuam North village, was in judicial custody following his arrest on August 20 in connection with the death of H Lalramdinpuii, police said. He and another villager, Lalneihkima, 34, were taken into custody after a special investigation team (SIT) from Lunglei police examined digital and forensic material and carried out multiple rounds of questioning.
Police said the escape was noticed around midnight on Monday. A search operation was immediately launched but, by the time officials provided an update, Denghmingthanga had not been traced.
Review of custody procedures, CCTV planned
Authorities have not provided details on how the accused managed to flee or whether any lapse in custody protocols occurred. Police stated that CCTV footage from the police station will be examined to reconstruct the events leading to the escape and to determine responsibility.
Senior officers, including the district superintendent of police, conducted a review on Tuesday morning, but officials declined to disclose specifics, citing an ongoing assessment.
Case background and timeline
According to the case record, Lalramdinpuii left home at around 8:30 pm on August 3 and was reported missing. After searches by family members and village volunteers, her body was discovered on August 5 in the compound of a school in Mualthuam North.
Following forensic and digital examinations and interviews with several people, the SIT arrested Denghmingthanga and Lalneihkima on August 20. Both were interrogated multiple times before being remanded to judicial custody, police said.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug 3 | 15-year-old reported missing after leaving home around 8:30 pm |
| Aug 5 | Body found in school compound, Mualthuam North |
| Aug 20 | SIT arrests two suspects — Denghmingthanga and Lalneihkima |
| Late night (date not specified) | Denghmingthanga escapes from police custody; search underway |
Search and investigation steps
Police said teams have been deployed to locate the escaped accused. The review of station CCTV is expected to be a central part of the internal probe to establish how the escape occurred and whether custodial protocols were followed.
- Teams deployed: Local police units have been tasked with the search.
- Evidence review: SIT and senior officers will examine CCTV and custody logs.
- Accountability: Officials indicated a formal assessment is underway to determine responsibility for the lapse.
At the time of the latest update, police had not released further details about the means of escape or any suspects believed to have assisted the accused.
Community impact and next steps
The case has drawn significant local attention because the victim was a minor and the body was found in a community location. The escape of an accused while in judicial custody is likely to intensify public concern and calls for transparency in the investigation and custody procedures.
Police undertakings to scrutinise CCTV recordings and to conduct a senior-level review aim to restore confidence while the manhunt continues. Further official updates are expected after the ongoing assessment is completed and investigators gather more information.
Authorities have urged anyone with information related to the escape or the original crime to come forward to assist the investigation.
