Bhadrak, Feb 17: An accused involved in a kidnapping and assault case has escaped from the Bhadrak Reserve Police Barrack, police said on Monday. Despite an ongoing search across multiple locations, the fugitive’s whereabouts remain unknown.

The accused, identified as Smruti Ranjan, along with several other youths, was alleged to have kidnapped and assaulted a young man near College Road. Following the incident, Bhadrak Town Police arrested two youths, who were kept in the reserve barrack for security and interrogation.

Police sources said Smruti Ranjan escaped under the pretext of going to the toilet. Intensive searches are underway, but officials have yet to locate him. Authorities have urged the public to report any information that could lead to his capture.