Cops suspended for suspects’ escape reinstated

“There were speculations that the escape must have been plotted with our knowledge. However,during the probe,the robbers confessed that they had not planned to flee. Instead,they took the decision after they found their handcuffs loosely locked,” said Koyande joined duty last week along with other two constables.

“While describing the escapade,the accused in their statement had said the policemen were not aware of their plan and that they merely tried their luck and succeeded in escaping. The policemen had chased them but were unsucceful in their attempt,” said senior police inspector S B Gaikwad of the Vikhroli police station. He said these policemen were restricted to paperwork and not detection.

“If there had been any hint of them having been hand-in-glove with the robbers,they wouldn’t have been reinstated so soon. The probe had found them guilty of negligence.” “We have only two inspectors while eight posts of sub-inspectors are vacant. Those transferred to Vikhroli have not reported for duty yet. I have sent a written request to the DCP asking for more men. After this incident,we are extra careful while escorting accused,” said Gaikwad.