Police have arrested the principal accused in a minor kidnapping case registered at Sonamura Police Station after he remained on the run for nearly 18 months. The accused was produced before a local court on Thursday, which remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody.

Police said the case dates back to February 2024, when a complaint was lodged alleging that the accused, along with the help of several family members, abducted a minor girl from the Sonamura subdivision and took her to Udaipur.

As the investigation progressed, police arrested a number of the accused's relatives for their alleged roles in the incident. However, the prime accused had managed to evade arrest until his recent capture.

Investigators informed the court that they are seeking permission to add provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, in view of the circumstances surrounding the case, along with the existing kidnapping charges.

Police reiterated their commitment to taking stringent action against all those involved in crimes related to kidnapping and child marriage. They also warned that anyone found aiding, encouraging or facilitating such offences would face strict legal consequences.