THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a serious lapse from the part of police, a notorious criminal escaped police custody while being taken to a court at Neyyattinkara here on Friday.
Biju alias Nadir Khan, 35, who was undergoing life-term imprisonment on a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) case, was on a KSRTC bus along with two police officers from the Central Prison at Poojappura. When the bus reached Alummoodu junction around 11 am, Biju gave police the slip and escaped on a motorcycle by riding pillion.
Incidentally, the police did not handcuff the accused even though he was a hardcore criminal.
Sources said a motorcyclist was following the bus from Thampanoor, giving indications that it was a well-scripted plan. The city and rural police have begun the search. The police also verified the CCTV footage obtained from the various parts of the town.
The motorcycle sped away to Kattakada road from Alummoodu junction. The police officers who accompanied the accused are also likely to face action owing to their recklessness. Biju was being taken to court in connection with a theft case reported at Neyyattinkara years ago. Biju is accused in over 200 criminal cases and he was also arrested under Kerala Anti- Social Activities Prevention Act (KAAPA). Though he is a native of Kochi, his ‘workplace’ used to be Thiruvananthapuram district over the last decade.
Apart from theft, robbery and rape cases, he is also accused of smuggling illicit liquor and drugs. Biju had converted to Islam for marrying a Muslim girl hailing from Marthandam in Kanyakumari district.