Escape of undertrials: Doubts hang over efficiency, working of Chandigarh police

The escape of six undertrials from police custody in the past three months has raised serious questions over the working of the Chandigarh police. Four undertrials have escaped in a span of less than a month. Investigation in the cases revealed that they had connived with some of the cops who were then suspended for dereliction of duty.

All the undertrials fled from the custody while they were produced in the district court. The modus operandi of all the undertrials was similar. Four fled from the Bakshikhana (the room where the undertrials are kept before their production in the court), while two others escaped when they were near the Bakshikhana.

Of the six undertrials who escaped from police custody in the past three months, only one has been arrested so far.

“We cannot deny the role of some cops in helping the undertrials in escaping from the custody. During the investigation of such cases, we usually come to know that the criminals fled by conniving with police personnel. We take action within the limits of the law against the erring cops,” said a senior police officer who did not wish to be named.

DSP Suman Kumar said “Strict action is taken against errant cops.”