Gangster Kandhal Jadeja flees from hospital, four cops grill

Rajkot, Feb 6 (UNI) Four policemen including a head-constable were today detained by the Gujarat police for questioning in connection with the sensational escape of notorious gangster Kandhal Jadeja here.

These policemen, head-constable Sureshbhai Sonara and constables Dilipsinh Bharatsinh, Pravinbhai Gohel and Vitthalbhai were on duty at the hospital when Kandhal Sarman Jadeja, son of 'godmother', Santokben Jadeja, managed to escape from police custody. He is the main accused in the murder of Porbandar councilor Keshu Odedara.

The policemen were being questioned by higher authorities for their alleged laxity in duty. They were however, not arrested, police clarified.

Keshu Odedara was killed on March 1, 2005. Police had then arrested Kandhal in this connection and lodged him in Rajkot Jail.

But, since the last few days he had been admitted at a private hospital for undergoing some medical tests, police said.

Taking advantange of the situation, Jadeja escaped from the hospital between 1030 to 1100 hrs today. Consequently, police have launched a man-hunt for the fugitive.

Santokben Jadeja's 32-year-old daughter-in-law and wife of the fugitive, Rekha Kandhal Jadeja, had been shot dead at her residence on May 20 last year. Kandhal Jadeja's brother, Karan, was subsequently arrested from Mumbai in that connection.

UNI