Scamster escapes from cop custody

Housing scam accused Yogesh Karande escaped from the custody of the Mira Road police in Vasai just 50 metres away from the Manickpur police station.

The Kanakia police arrested Karande after 13 complaints were registered against him for duping people of Rs75 lakh, while the Manickpur police station already had 150 complaints against him for cheating the complainants of Rs3 crore.

Karande and his accomplices used to lure people into purchasing auctioned flats at cheaper rates. They would ask them to pay 30% of the flat cost in advance and then disappear. The Manickpur police had earlier arrested two persons in connection with these cases.

On Wednesday evening, the Kanakia police was bringing Karande for further investigation when he pushed one of the accompanying cops and fled in an auto from near Manickpur police station during a halt, said Arvind Chaudhary of Manickpur police station, adding that they have increased nakabandi to re-arrest him.

The Manickpur police have registered a case against Karande under Section 224 (resistance or obstruction to his lawful apprehension) of the IPC.