Jail inmate flees, nabbed after 12 hours

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, March 30

A jail inmate who broke open his handcuffs and escaped from the Civil Hospital here was nabbed 12 hours later. He was found purchasing drugs 30 km away at Bhadroha village in Pathankot district.

Manjinder Singh, a drug addict, was brought to the Civil Hospital on March 20 after he complained of drug withdrawal symptoms. He was lodged in the Gurdaspur central jail under the NDPS Act.

Three constables — Sahib Chand, Harpreet Singh and Adarsh Kumar — were assigned the duty to ensure he does not escape from the de-addiction ward, where he was admitted for treatment.

SSP Swarandeep Singh said on Friday night, Harpreet and Adarsh went home to take a nap while Sahib Chand fell asleep on a bed next to where Manjinder was sleeping. Manjinder broke open his handcuffs and fled.

Around 3 am, when Sahib Chand noticed his absence, an alarm was sounded.

The police raided Manjinder’s residence. His wife told the cops that her husband used to regularly visit Bhadroha village in Pathankot to buy drugs. The police laid a trap and nabbed the accused when he went there to purchase drugs.