Undertrial serial killer escapes from running train

Varanasi, Sep 5 (UNI) An undertrial serial killer, whose gang was allegedly responsible for at least 250 killings on Uttar Pradesh highways, escaped from police custody aboard a running train in the neighbouring Bhadohi district early today.

Salim, the kingpin of the gang of 35 serial killers escaped from the clutches of police, while being taken from Meerut to Varanasi for a court hearing by the New Delhi-Varanasi Kashi Vishwanath Express.

''The notorious criminal, being taken for a hearing in the Chief Judicial Magistrate's court, jumped from the train between Suriyawan and Bhadohi stations,'' Varanasi GRP station in charge Paramhans Mishra told newspersons.

''Three constables Gyan Singh, Khem Chand and Raj Bahadur were presently being quizzed about the entire incident at the GRP outpost at Janghai railway station,'' Mr Mishra informed.

A team of Varanasi GRP is reaching Janghai shortly to investigate the case and search operations were underway to nab the absonding criminal.

Presently lodged in Meerut district jail, Salim, a middle-aged taxi driver hailing from East UP, was arrested by the Meerut Police in March. After his arrest, he had confessed his gang had murdered at least 250 people on different highways of UP.

The gang claimed to have killed 50-odd policemen during raids and highway attacks in areas, that included Faizabad, Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Bahraich, Meerut and Bulandshahr districts.

UNI