MARGAO: One of the bouncers accused in the Chennai tourist murder case gave the Colva police a slip on late Thursday night leaving the men in uniform red-faced.

Accused Basilio alias Pokod Ratos escaped from police custody outside the Colva police station, while in the process of being taken to the Margao police lockup. The incident occurred at around 10.15 pm when Basilio along with Xavier D’Costa were being taken to Margao since Colva police station has no lockup facility.

Margao sub divisional police officer DyS Mohan Naik told Herald that accused Basilio escaped from police custody no sooner he was brought out from the police station after interrogation in the case.

Embarrassed over the escape, the Colva police launched a manhunt to trace the accused but in vain. DySP Naik however exuded confidence of nabbing the accused saying that Basilio is a local person hailing from neighbouring Benaulim village.

A case stands registered against Basilio for escaping from police custody.

Earlier in the day, accused Xavier D’Costa, 23 from Navelim and Basilio were remanded to seven days in police custody by a local court here.

They were arrested by Colva police on charge of murdering a Chennai tourist Madan G on Sunday night at a Colva shack. Colva PI Nilesh Rane informed that interrogation of two accused was in progress and that the knife alleged used to stab Madan on chest had not yet been recovered.

It may be recalled that deceased Madan who had arrived along with his colleagues from Chennai after checking in the hotel late in the evening had been to the shack, Boomerang at Colva beach to have beer.

The tourists are believed to have entered into an argument with the waiter over the delay in serving beer. A brawl ensued between the waiter and the tourists after they are believed to have broken a glass before the two bouncers intervened. The two accused were arrested by the police form the river bank at Paroda.