Bihar's notorious kidnapper escapes from police custody

Varanasi, Aug 20 (UNI) A notorious kidnapper from Bihar, lodged in the Varanasi district jail, escaped from police custody on the district court premises here today.

Sharif Diwan alias Doctor escaped from police custody, while he was being taken back after being produced in an abduction case in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Senior Police Superintendent Office spokesperson said.

Doctor was presented in the CJM court along with three other associates, Vinod Giri, Zafaruddin Ali and Ramesh Pal, all accused in the April 11 last kidnapping of a Varanasi based cycle trader's son. On his way back to the court lock-up from where he was to be taken to the district jail, the hardened criminal managed to escape.

The constable Bhikhari Ram, who had taken 'Doctor' in his custody to the court was later found loitering in the court campus in an inebriated state.

The constable has been suspended and arrested, SSP office sources added.

'Doctor', hailing from Gopalganj district of Bihar was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police from an underconstruction building in Cantt area here on April 25 for masterminding the kidnapping of Gaurav -- the teenage son of a local cycle trader.

Since his arrest, 'Doctor' was lodged at the district jail along with the three other associates, also arrested in the same case.

Prior to his arrest 'Doctor', declared an absconder by the Bihar Government four years ago was carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head, police sources said.

Efforts are underway to nab the absconding kidnapper with two special police teams being sent to neighbouring Bihar.

UNI