10 undertrials escape from prison van in UP,4 cops suspended

At least 10 undertrials,mostly accused in heinous cases,escaped from a prison van in broad daylight while being taken to the district court from Naini Central Jail on Monday. The incident took place under George Town area of the city near the busy Balson Chauraha intersection.

Four police personnel,including a sub-inspector,have been suspended and an FIR has been registered against them,as well as the 10 escapees,in connection with the incident. “Those who escaped were involved in offences ranging from murder,loot and dacoity to vehicle lifting. A couple of them had also been booked under the NDPS Act,” said a police spokesperson,adding that around 10 teams had been constituted to track down the escapees and arrest them.

According to the police,two prison vans carrying a total of 106 undertrials had started from Naini Jail around 10 am to take them to the district court in connection with their cases. There were 54 undertrials in one of the vans,while 52 in the second. Four police personnel each were present in the two vans.

At 10.45 am,when the van carrying 52 undertrials crossed Balson Chauraha in George Town area and reached near a school,there was some commotion among the undertrials. The driver stopped the van,but before the police personnel could take preventive action.