Two undertrials freed from police custody

SP (Headquarters) Lakhbir Singh said the two undertrials had been taken to the civil hospital for a check up on the recommendation of the jail doctor.

When they were being brought back from the hospital after the checkup, around four unidentified car borne persons overpowered the three constables escorting the duo near the Dusshera ground under the broad day light and took them away.

The SP said Gurjant and Rachpal were residents of village Havelian and Bhuchar Khurd respectively in Tarn Taran district.

He said a case under various sections of the NDPS Act, the Arms Act and the IPC had been registered against them on March 21, 2010 following recovery of 26 kg heroin estimated to be worth crores from their possession during a special operation.

Meanwhile, the police arrested the three constables - Malkit Singh, Nirmaljit Singh and Chinder Pal - who were escorting the undertrials at the time of the incident.

The SP said the role of other jail officials was also being scanned to ascertain their culpability in the incident.

When contacted, Daljit Singh Bhatti DSP (Jail) said they have informed the higher authorities about the incident.

Bhatti said one undertrial prisoner had reported chest pain while other had a back pain following which they had been sent to civil hospital for a checkup.