Bhubaneswar: Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Bhubaneswar Satyabrata Bhoi has suspended six police personnel, including Khandagiri police station Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Gourahari Mallick, holding them prima facie guilty of negligence leading to the escape of dreaded criminal Shajan alias Patu from the SCB hospital in Cuttack yesterday. This was announced by Twin City Police Commissioner YB Khurania here on Sunday.
Havildar Ranjan Rout and four APR personnel, who were part of the escort party, are also among the suspended cops, Khurania added.
“The action was taken after a preliminary inquiry,” the Police Commissioner stated, adding the detailed inquiry, which will be held subsequently, will reveal why and how the incident took place and who else are involved in Patu’s escape.
The Bhubaneswar DCP has said, “The cops were suspended due to negligence in their duties as understood from prima facie evidence.”
Declining to elaborate on the plans to capture Patu, the DCP further stated, “We are hopeful of rearresting him soon.”
Notably, Patu was admitted to the SCB hospital after being injured in police firing during an encounter with police at Ghatikia in Bhubaneswar three days back. However, he 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 it, the criminal managed to escape.
This is not for the first time Patu has managed to give the slip to police as he had managed to flee while undergoing treatment at the Capital Hospital during his earlier arrest.