Three under trial prisoners escape from police van

Three under trial prisoners, who were on their way to Yerwada Central Jail, allegedly escaped from a police van, when it made a halt near the city for their "toilet-break", police said today.
The incident took place last evening when policemen were escorting the prisoners back to the jail here after a hearing at a court in Satara district of Maharashtra, they said.
The prisoners were identified as Kalya alias Raju Patre, Santosh Jagtap and Santosh Chandilkar.
"All three were taken to a local court in Satara district. After the hearing, a team of police personnel were escorting the trio in a police van. When their van reached an old check-post in Katraj Ghat, the prisoners sought a toilet break.

The trio, who were allowed to get down from the van, pushed the police personnel and fled into the nearby forests taking advantage of the darkness," said a police officer, attached to Bharti Vidyapeeth police station, where the case has been registered.
They have been charged under section 224 (Resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension) and 34 (Common Intention) of IPC, the officer said adding a hunt is on for them.
All the three under-trials were involved in robbery and Arms act cases.