Skalles Obei from Ethiopia, arrested last week, was being taken in a police vehicle to the court for remand extension. As the vehicle got stuck in traffic in Kadavanthra, sensing an opportunity, hand-cuffed Obei jumped off and ran away, police said.
He was later spotted hiding in a house in the neighbourhood by the locals. When they confronted him, a sobbing Obei said he had come to India to see his "dear friend" from Tanzania who is studying in Bengaluru.
Obei was arrested a week ago by the city police after he was found travelling without proper documents. He was lodged in Kakkanad sub-jail after being remanded to judicial custody by the CJM Court.