A police constable and a car driver were arrested for allegedly aiding the escape of an undertrial prisoner from Coimbatore Government Hospital, while three police personnel were suspended for security lapses.
Coimbatore: The Coimbatore City Police have arrested a police constable and a car driver for allegedly aiding the escape of an undertrial prisoner from the prisoners' ward at Coimbatore Government Hospital. In a parallel departmental action, three police personnel have been suspended for negligence in security duties.
The undertrial, identified as Bhimudu Ajith Kumar (35), a native of Andhra Pradesh, had been arrested in connection with multiple cheating cases involving fraudulent car sale transactions. Police said he faces more than 30 cheating cases registered in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
He was recently arrested by Tiruppur police for allegedly cheating two persons by posing as a car seller and collecting money from them. Following his arrest, he was remanded to Coimbatore Central Prison.
After complaining of ill health, he was shifted from the prison to the prisoners' ward at Coimbatore Government Hospital for treatment. He was undergoing treatment for a leg injury and diabetes, while three other inmates were also admitted to the same ward under police security.
According to the investigation, the undertrial escaped from the hospital ward at around 7.30 p.m. on the night of the incident. Police said he allegedly used an opening near a restroom located between the prisoners' ward and the women's ward to gain access to the adjacent section before walking out of the hospital premises. CCTV footage reportedly showed him covering his face with a cloth to avoid identification.
Following the escape, Coimbatore City Police Commissioner Kannan constituted a special team to trace the absconding prisoner. After an intensive overnight search operation, Salem police personnel on patrol dutyapprehended him within five hours of his escape.
He was subsequently taken into custody by the Race Course police and remanded back to Coimbatore Central Prison. Further investigation by the Race Course police revealed that the escape had allegedly been planned in advance.
As part of the probe, a car driver identified as Vijayakumar and a Grade-II police constable were arrested for allegedly facilitating the undertrial's escape.
Meanwhile, departmental proceedings were initiated against police personnel responsible for security at the hospital. SSI Periyasamy and police personnel Bharathidasan and Ashok Kumar were placed under suspension for alleged negligence in the discharge of their duties.
The Coimbatore City Police said further investigations are underway to ascertain whether any other persons were involved in facilitating the escape.
The undertrial, identified as Bhimudu Ajith Kumar (35), a native of Andhra Pradesh, had been arrested in connection with multiple cheating cases involving fraudulent car sale transactions. Police said he faces more than 30 cheating cases registered in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
He was recently arrested by Tiruppur police for allegedly cheating two persons by posing as a car seller and collecting money from them. Following his arrest, he was remanded to Coimbatore Central Prison.
After complaining of ill health, he was shifted from the prison to the prisoners' ward at Coimbatore Government Hospital for treatment. He was undergoing treatment for a leg injury and diabetes, while three other inmates were also admitted to the same ward under police security.
According to the investigation, the undertrial escaped from the hospital ward at around 7.30 p.m. on the night of the incident. Police said he allegedly used an opening near a restroom located between the prisoners' ward and the women's ward to gain access to the adjacent section before walking out of the hospital premises. CCTV footage reportedly showed him covering his face with a cloth to avoid identification.
Following the escape, Coimbatore City Police Commissioner Kannan constituted a special team to trace the absconding prisoner. After an intensive overnight search operation, Salem police personnel on patrol dutyapprehended him within five hours of his escape.
He was subsequently taken into custody by the Race Course police and remanded back to Coimbatore Central Prison. Further investigation by the Race Course police revealed that the escape had allegedly been planned in advance.
As part of the probe, a car driver identified as Vijayakumar and a Grade-II police constable were arrested for allegedly facilitating the undertrial's escape.
Meanwhile, departmental proceedings were initiated against police personnel responsible for security at the hospital. SSI Periyasamy and police personnel Bharathidasan and Ashok Kumar were placed under suspension for alleged negligence in the discharge of their duties.
The Coimbatore City Police said further investigations are underway to ascertain whether any other persons were involved in facilitating the escape.