Prisoner flees after associates throw chilli powder on cops

New Delhi: A 40-year-old under trial prisoner (UTP) escaped from police custody, with help from his associates, from near central Delhi's Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, by throwing chili powder on escorting policemen on Monday.

Delhi Police said that the personnel escorting the UTP have been suspended.

According to police, the accused was identified as Sandeep alias Sanjay, a native of Jasore Khedi, Bahadurgarh in Haryana.

He was convicted in a murder case and was lodged in Mandoli jail.

In 2003, Sandeep and his other associates had fired at an inspector of the Crime Branch of Delhi Police with a locally made pistol in Sultanpuri area.

He was involved in a criminal case in 2012 in the jurisdiction of Bharat Nagar police station.

According to police, Sandeep had visited the outpatient department (OPD) of Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences for treatment on February 9, and was advised to visit again on Monday.

"Today, the UTP was brought to the hospital under the supervision of ASI (assistant sub-inspector) Braj Mohan, ASI Naresh Pal and Head Constable Yogender, in a Maruti Eeco Van provided by the jail authorities," said a senior police official.

Police claimed that at 11.20 am on Monday, after Sandeep and the police guards left the hospital premises after consulting the doctor, his associates threw chili powder on the eyes of the police personnel and managed to free Sandeep from police custody.

The policemen fired four rounds, but the accused managed to escape.

An FIR has been registered and further investigation is under process.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Mandeep Singh Randhawa stated that the accused, who are suspected to be three in number, fled with Sandeep on a motorcycle.

"We have formed several teams to nab the accused," said the DCP.

Police are examining the activities of the accused between February 9 and 19, as well as scanning CCTV footage of the hospital.

Sources claimed that a few prisoners, with whom Sandeep was in contact while in prison, will also be questioned. His relatives and other acquaintances are also being questioned.

Police suspect that the entire incident might have been planned in advance and the recce of the area near the hospital was done by the associates. A case has been registered in this regard and police have started their investigation.