Betalbatim gang rape accused escapes from hospital

NT NETWORK

PANAJI

One of the three accused in the Betalbatim gang rape case escaped from the custody of police early morning on Monday from the TB Hospital at St Inez, Panaji where he was undergoing treatment.

The undertrial prisoner, Ishwar Makwana, was admitted to the hospital on

November 28, said police.

While an offence has been registered against Makwana in connection with the incident, the Goa police department has suspended four police personnel – head constable Rajendra Tamshe and police constables Ladu Raul, Sanjay Khandeparkar, Uday Naik. The incident occurred around 5.30 am.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Rajesh Kumar said that an inquiry has been ordered and efforts are on to apprehend the accused.

A senior police officer said that the accused Makwana is reportedly involved in around 20 criminal cases which include rape and murder cases in Madhya Pradesh. Makwana (24) and two other accused Ram Bariya (19), Sanjeev Pal (22), all from Madhya Pradesh, were arrested by the Goa police in May this year.

Referring to the escape incident, a police officer said that the accused was admitted in ward number 2 of the TB Hospital. On Monday early morning, the accused informed the police on duty that he wanted to go to the washroom and while in the washroom, he reportedly faked sickness and cried for help. Hearing this, the policeman waiting outside the washroom, pushed the door. However, to his surprise, the accused, in turn, pushed the policeman and fled.

A senior police officer said that before pushing the door open, the policeman should have alerted the other three policemen, who were on duty and reportedly taking rest in an adjacent room. Incidentally, there was no CCTV camera surveillance in the hospital, said police.

According to the police, looking at the criminal history of the accused, they had filed an application before a court in South Goa with a request to allow the use of handcuffs. However, it was declined, the police said.

Police said that in view of the incident, a protocol is being prepared to strengthen the supervision over policemen posted on such duties.