Cuttack: Expediting investigation into the escape of dreaded gangster Sheikh Hyder from SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Mangalabag police on Tuesday arrested two more persons including a constable, Mohammad Mousim and a warder, Shivnarayan Nanda of Sambalpur jail in connection with the case.
As per reports, Mohammad Mousim was on duty at SCB hospital when Hyder had escaped and he was under police radar since then. The police arrested Mousim and another warder of Sambalpur Jail after accumulating enough evidence against them.
Speaking about the arrests, DCP Prateek Singh said, “As Mousim had alleged that he was drugged by Hyder’s accomplices, we have already sent the food samples to the labs for test and we will be able to shed more light on this after we get the reports.”
“Police personnel were found guilty of gross negligence for which Hyder was able to escape custody. Action is being taken against those responsible,” said Singh.
Singh further said the arrested warder was found guilty of criminal negligence while on duty as he allowed Hyder to use his phone to speak to his aides.
Earlier, constable Mousim had lodged an FIR with the police after Hyder fled from SCB and alleged role of the gangster’s family members in his escape. His FIR mentioned that the gangster’s son, brother and other relatives used to visit him frequently during his treatment at SCB. Mousim alleged that Hyder’s kin had thrown some poisonous substances at him and fled with the gangster as he lost consciousness.
The police had earlier arrested seven accused in this connection including one of his aides, Yakub. With the arrest of Mousim and the jail warder, the total number of arrests reached nine.
Besides, six police personnel including Mousim were suspended for gross negligence in duty after Hyder’s escape.
Hyder was lodged in Sambalpur circle jail and shifted to SCB for treatment when he escaped on April 10. Five days later, he was nabbed from Sangareddy district of Telangana.
(Edited By Ramakanta Biswas)