Cuttack/Bhubaneswar: Twin City Police Commissioner YB Khurania on Saturday ordered Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi to inquire into the escape of Shajan alias Patu from police custody while undergoing treatment at SCB hospital in Cuttack.
Besides, Khurania informed OTV that action will be taken against five APR personnel who were on duty accompanying Patu in the hospital.
Patu was admitted to the hospital after being injured in police firing during an encounter at Ghatikia here two days back.
Sources said the Patu managed to give the slip while being taken to the Orthopaedic ward of the hospital for a plaster of the injured ankle. While waiting for the doctor at the ward, Patu took permission from an APR personnel to roam nearby saying he was feeling nausea. Before the policemen on duty realised, the criminal managed to escape, sources added.
Bhubananda Maharana, Emergency Officer of the SCB hospital said, “Patu was admitted to the hospital on March 3 night following a referral from the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar after sustaining gunshot injuries. On the advice of an Orthopaedic specialist, he was brought to the ward for the plaster along with police personnel and a hospital attendant. But, at around 12.45 pm the attendant reported that the patient had absconded from the hospital. We have informed the Mangalabag police regarding the escape.”
Notably, Patu had sustained bullet injuries on his ankle in a police encounter at Ghatikia area here late on Wednesday night. When a special team of Commissionerate Police tried to nab him, Patu had opened three rounds of bullet at the police team.
In reply, the special team fired two rounds of bullets at Patu in which he sustained bullet injuries on his ankle.
Earlier, Patu was arrested on charges of firing during a loot in Bhimatangi area in Bhubaneswar and lodged at the Jharapada jail. However, he had managed to flee while undergoing treatment at the Capital Hospital on that occasion too.