UP: Constable suspended after handcuffed Pocso Act accused escapes custody

BAREILLY: The SSP of Kheri on Monday suspended constable Rajkumar of Mitauli police station, and wrote to the commandant of homeguards for taking necessary action against a homeguard, a day after a handcuffed suspect who had been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act escaped from the custody of the two cops.
Constable Rajkumar and the homeguard were shifting accused Hiralal to Lakhimpur district jail on a bike on Sunday, and had stopped at a petrol pump to refuel, when the accused escaped. Within a few hours, a video of the escape went viral on social media, causing huge embarrassment for the force.

Hiralal had been booked under Pocso Act for allegedly attempting to rape a minor girl in Mitauli in Lakhimpur Kheri district. A new FIR against both cops, and Hiralal for his escape, was registered at Mitauli police station. Luckily, on Monday afternoon, Hiralal was rearrested while he was attempting to board a bus to leave the district.
ASP Arun Kumar said, “We had alerted staff of three nearby police stations to look out for Hiralal. He hid himself in a cane field all night, but a patrol team managed to nab him near Badagaon village. He has been sent to jail after medical examination. Constable Rajkumar has been suspended. Departmental action will be taken against the homeguard as well.”