Prisoner flees police custody at PGI

A prisoner escaped from police custody while he was under treatment at the PGIMER here. Gopi, a resident of Ravi Das Nagar, Hoshiarpur, who was arrested in connection with a case under the NDPS Act, escaped from the PGI on June 2.

According to an FIR registered under Sections 261 and 262 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Sector 11 Police Station, a complaint was lodged by Punjab Police Line Officer SI Paramjit Singh after the prisoner escaped.

Gopi had reportedly swallowed a blade or nail while he was lodged in Central Jail, Hoshiarpur. After his condition deteriorated, he was referred to Government Medical College and Hospital, Amritsar, by the jail medical officer. He was further referred to the PGI on May 31.

Gopi was under the custody of two Punjab Police personnel — ASI Vijay Kumar and ASI Suram Chand, when he escaped. It is alleged that he managed to escape due to negligence on part of the police men. The police have launched a manhunt and are examining CCTV footage and other leads. Internal proceedings are also likely to be initiated against the cops.