Hours after fleeing custody at Vadodara hospital, rape & POCSO accused lands in police net

Shortly before midnight on Thursday, the Vadodara Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) said that teams had immediately begun a search for the accused after being alerted about his escape. Officers used human intelligence and CCTV footage to trace his movements. Police also suspected that he could return to his residence near Chhani Canal and accordingly maintained a discreet watch in the area. That strategy paid off around 10.30 pm, when Crime Branch personnel spotted the accused approaching the Chhani Canal area. The team intercepted and apprehended him, bringing an end to the hours-long search.

The accused was subsequently handed over to Raopura Police Station for further investigation in the case lodged against him after he escaped from custody under Section 262 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Originally from Dahod district, the accused resided in a hut near Chhani Canal.

Earlier, the escape had prompted a dramatic chase at the hospital. The accused was taken to Ward No. 5 for treatment for a skin condition on Thursday. Police escorting him removed his handcuffs to administer an injection. After the first injection, while he was waiting for another one, he allegedly pushed the escorting policeman and ran away.

In CCTV footage, the accused was seen sprinting past the out patient (OP) department. The accused allegedly broke through a metal barricade before entering the under-construction structure. He was also seen fleeing without his slippers, which were left behind on the road.