Covid-positive criminals infect 2 cops, flee custody

The Rajkot police department is facing a new kind of problem after two Covid-positive criminals left two policemen infected. To make matters worse, the two men fled from the hospital where they were being treated, putting the lives of anyone else they come in contact with at risk.

Rajkot police intercepted accused Hasmukh Vaghelia (30) and Vikram Vaghelia (25) riding a stolen motorcycle near Maliyasan on Rajkot-Ahmedabad highway. It was found that the two were involved in eight other vehicle theft and breakins. Constable Karan Maru of Rajkot Crime Branch said, “Their modus operandi involved stealing a bike, breaking into factories for valuables, then abandoning the vehicle.”

The two were arrested on Friday and taken to Kuvadva Police Station where their samples were taken for Covid-19 testing. The report which came on Sunday revealed that both the accused were corona -positive. They were shifted to Rajkot Civil Hospital for treatment.

Since the policemen were in close quarters with the two, they were tested too. PSI H B Dhandhaliya and Constable Shaktisinh Gohil of Rajkot Crime Branch were also found to be corona-positive.

PSO Haresh Trivedi said, “The two criminals were admitted to Corona ward of Civil Hospital on Monday. But they managed to flee the hospital. Rajkot Crime Branch has launched a manhunt for them.”

NISCHAL SANGHAVI