Murder accused escapes from police custody

Chennai, Dec 22 (UNI) Iqbal Manchuri alias Ifkhan (27), the prime accused in the gunning down of city-based Lawyer Madanagopal in July 2002, escaped from police custody leading to the suspension of three escort policemen.

Police sources said the accused was being taken back to Bangalore Central Prison after he was produced before court when he gave the slip to the police on the pretext of answering nature's call.

Iqbal was one of members of the armed gang which shot dead Mr Madanagopal who was handling narcotics cases, along with six others.

He was shifted from Chennai to Salem Central Prison after the Supreme Court, based on a petition, transferred the murder case to Krishnagiri.

While three of the gang members, all from Madhya Pradesh, jumped bail, three others, including two from Tamil Nadu, were lodged in the Bangalore Central Prison.

Three armed policemen escorted Iqbal to the Krishnagiri Court from the Central Prison in connection with the case. While returning late in the evening of December 20, the undertrial gave the slip.

Since the accused said he wanted to go to toilet, the escort police had removed the handcuffs.

All police stations in the state have been put on high alert and special teams formed to nab him.

UNI