Prisoner escapes in MP; three policemen suspended

An undertrial prisoner facing over a dozen criminal cases escaped from judicial custody on late Monday night, an official said on Tuesday, prompting the authorities to suspend three policemen.

Dipa Machar, a local resident facing trial in 13 cases, was handcuffed when he gave police escort the slip at around 11 pm in the Kardavad area, some 4km from the district headquarters, Superintendent of Police (SP) Vineet Jain said.

The 26-year-old prisoner was taken to adjoining Ratlam district for court appearance and was being brought back to the local jail when he pushed aside the policemen escorting him after alighting from the vehicle and fled, the SP said.

Taking a serious view of the incident, head constable Inderveer Singh, and constables Akash and Kesar Singh, who were escorting Machar, were suspended, Jain said.

He said a cash reward of Rs 10,000 has been announced for information leading to the capture of Machar, who has also been booked for escaping from judicial custody.

Machar faces criminal cases like kidnapping, dacoity and loot, the SP said.

A manhunt has been launched to nab the absconding inmate, the police officer added.