Cop suspended over drug smuggler's escape from police custody

A Narcotics Cell Inspector has been suspended on charge of dereliction of duty in connection with the escape of inter-district poppy husk smuggler Papparam Vishnoi from police custody over a month ago, police said today.
"Orders for suspension of Madhya Pradesh Narcotics Cell Inspector Avnish Shrivastava were issued by Additional Director General of Police K C Verma yesterday," Narcotics Cell Superintendent of Police Ter Singh Baghel said.
Action was taken against Shrivastava for negligence as Vishnoi managed to escape from the police custody on July 23, Baghel said.
On July 18, illegal poppy husk consignment of 97 quintals worth Rs seven crore was seized by Shrivastava and the kingpin Vishnoi was nabbed along with the consignment. However, four days later the accused escaped from the police custody and is still absconding, Baghel said.

Earlier, three constables had also been suspended in the same case, Baghel said.