Criminals escape after drugging constables

Badwani(MP), July 17(UNI) Two notorious criminals, hailing from Punjab, escaped after drugging three police officials of Madhya Pradesh, but were later recaptured late last night by the Maharashtra police, a senior police official said today.

Undertrials Gagan Singh and Rahul, presently lodged in Badwani jail for looting Rs 7 lakh from a trader of Sendhwa near here in December last year, escaped from police custody yesterday while being taken to Aurangabad, Maharashtra, for production before the court today in a car loot case.

According to Superintendent of Police P K Mathur, the criminals escaped from Dhulia, Maharashtra, after offering sedative-laced sweets to Head Constable Pandari Badole and Constables Jai Narayan and Ramu.

As the police constables fell unconscious, the criminals removed their handcuffs and escaped after alighting from a vehicle at Chalisgaon bus stand. Rifles and cartridges of the policemen were left untouched.

The constables, who regained consciousness last night, lodged a complaint with the Chalisgaon police about the escape of the criminals, who were recaptured by the Maharashtra police after five hour operation from near Tadegaon late last night. An accomplice of them was also arrested, Mr Mathur said.

The policemen, who were yet to recover fully from the effect of sedatives, were undergoing treatment at the district hospital at Jalgaon, Maharashtra, Mr Mathur added.

Earlier, both criminals were caught within hours after looting a trader at Sendhwa in December last year.

UNI XC-SP 1237