Gangster escapes while being taken to hospital

Panaji, Feb 22 (PTI) A gangster who had allegedlyconfessed to taking up "contract" to kill state home ministerRavi Naik�s son, fled from the judicial custody today,officials said here.

Michael Fernandes, a robber, managed to flee while on theway to the hospital, prison officials said.

Michael made good the escape at Chicalim junction, 20 kmfrom Panaji, while being transported to Goa Medical College,Bambolim, near here.

Officials said that a motorcycle that was followingpolice van took away Michael after he jumped out.

Police spokesman Atmaram Deshpande said that thedepartment has launched a massive manhunt.

More than 30 cases of dacoity, chain snatching, vehiclethefts, robbery, etc were registered against Fernandes. He hadmurdered a person in Karnataka before coming down to Goa andforming his gang here, police said.

Michael was arrested in September 2010 in a theft case,and during the interrogation, according to police, he hadconfessed to accepting a contract to kill Roy, Ravi Naik''sson. Another history-sheeter, nicknamed Joeboy� had allegedlygiven the contract.