The Thiruvananthapuram Rural Police have intensified their manhunt for a notorious history-sheeter who has been accused of sexually abusing a mentally challenged woman at the KSRTC bus station in Kattakada during the early hours of Saturday.

According to the Kattakada police, the accused, ‘Bruce Lee’ Shibu, who hails from Panniyode, allegedly abused the survivor, while she was sleeping on a bench in front of the station office around 1.30 a.m. The woman was seen wandering around the bus stand area for several days.

While KSRTC employees rushed to the spot, the accused managed to escape before he could be apprehended. The subsequent review of CCTV footage by transport officials revealed the extent of the crime, the police said.

While the police initially faced a hurdle as the survivor had disappeared from the bus station following the incident, she was subsequently located and moved to a secure shelter home. She is expected to undergo a medical examination. Further legal proceedings will be initiated after recording her statements and collecting evidence, the police said.

Shibu has several cases including those relating to narcotics trade pending against him.