Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 21: Two girl students from Kadri area in the city had gone missing since February 11 this year. Kadri police had converted this missing case into that of abduction. The police have since arrested a person,identified as Shankar Bhat (33) from Puttur.

Both the students aged 17 were pursuing second PU education through a tutorial institute in the city. They had suddenly gone missing on February 11. A complaint about this incident was filed in Kadri police station. During their investigation, the police found both the students from Madikeri. They were brought back to the city and entrusted to their respective parents.

The students had said that they had gone away, having been frustrated at the frequent reprimands of their family members. They claimed that they had gone in search of jobs and had joined work in a fancy store at Madikeri.

Owner of the shop, Shankar Bhat, has now been arrested for employing minor girls in the shop. He stands booked under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and remanded to judicial custody. The case has now been transferred to women's police station and more arrests are likely, police sources stated.