Gangtok, May 28: A 24-year-old man arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl escaped from police custody in Rangpo, Sikkim, on Wednesday, police said.

The accused, taken into custody on May 27, managed to flee from the Rangpo police station under the pretext of using the restroom, according to officials.

A search operation has been launched, and an internal inquiry is underway into the circumstances of the escape.