Murder bid suspect escapes from van while being taken to Yerawada prison

Pune: A man arrested in an attempt to murder case escaped while he was being taken to Yerawada jail from Chakan on Tuesday night.

The Khed police had recently arrested Sonya Awtade (20) of Chakan, originally from Chakan, under the charges of 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

"Awtade was produced before a court in Khed on Tuesday after his police custody was over. The court had remanded him to the judicial custody, for which he was to be taken to the Yerawada jail," said an officer from the Chakan police.

The officer said constables of the Khed police Umesh Gore and G K Mundhe were assigned to escort Awtade to Yerawada jail in Pune. "They were taking him to the jail in a private van. Around 8.45pm, when they reached Ambethan chowk in Chakan, the driver slowed down the van to take a turn towards a petrol pump for filling fuel. This is when Awtade tried to open the van door," the officer said.

The officer said when constables tried to stop him, the suspect hit on Mundhe's face even though he was handcuffed. "After hitting Mundhe, Awtade managed to open the door of the van and fled," he said.

Though Mundhe and Gore chased Awtade for some distance, he disappeared in a dark lane near the petrol pump, the officer said.

"We have launched a manhunt to trace and nab him. Further investigation is on," he added.