As cops sleep, 8 Bangla women flee

Eight women, who had been placed in a room at Mira Road police station, escaped from custody, by bending rusted iron grilles of a window on Thursday. Four women police constables guarding them had dozed off while the accused fled, said a senior police officer.

The window of the room was at the usual height, quite like any average household room, and was, therefore, easily accessible.

The four constables have been suspended and a hunt is on to trace the eight missing women.

The accused, alleged illegal immigrants from Bangladesh who worked at construction sites, had been picked up by officials of Navghar police station in Bhayander (east) from various such sites in the area. They were among 21 immigrants rounded up on Wednesday.

The labour supply contractor, Nitin Trivedi, 25, who had employed them, has been arrested.

The women had been lodged in the room at Mira Road as the Navghar police
station does not have a lock-up for women.

Deputy superintendent of police (Thane rural) Prashant Deshpande confirmed the escape and the suspension.

@ImranFazalDNA