Mohali, April 18: An undertrial in a murder case escaped from police custody in Mohali on Thursday after being brought from Burail Jail for a court appearance, prompting a manhunt by Punjab Police.
Identified as Rintu, the accused had been escorted by Chandigarh Police constable Daljit Singh in a departmental bus. “We were waiting outside the court for the bus to return from Kharar when he suddenly pushed me and ran off,” Singh told police in his statement.
The escape took place near a seasonal rivulet at the Lakhnaur crossing. According to Singh, the two undertrials were being transported to separate courts—Rintu to Mohali and the other to Kharar. After dropping them off, the bus proceeded to Kharar with the second accused. Singh remained outside the Mohali court with Rintu, awaiting the bus’s return.
Police said the constable initially attempted to chase the fleeing undertrial and searched the area for some time before alerting the local PCR. A case under Section 262 (escape from lawful custody) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was later registered at Sohana police station.
Mohali Police confirmed an active search is underway. “Efforts are being made to trace and apprehend the escaped accused,” an official from the Sohana police station said.
