Six undertrials escape from Dahanu sub-jail, one held

MUMBAI: Six undertrials escaped from the Dahanu sub-jail in neighbouring Thane district on Saturday after cutting the iron gate at the entrance, police said.

One of them was, however, later arrested, police said.

There were eight undertrials lodged in Dahanu sub-jail, of which six managed to escape this morning, police said, adding the policemen on duty have been placed under suspension.

The undertrials who fled were identified as Ramkrishna Karpatwar (22), Jeetu Dhodhi (18), Kashiram Mohankar (20), Ramu Mohankar (21), Rajesh Jagtap (26) and Raju Kavathe (28).

Police teams have been despatched to arrest them, superintendent of police (Thane rural), Archana Tyagi said and added that Kavathe has been arrested.

Among the absconding undertrials, two faced murder charges, two theft charges, while one was detained on a warrant issued by a local court, she said.

Sources said that a probe has been initiated into the escape to find out how the sub-jail inmates could cut iron rods of the entrance door although the jail is guarded round-the-clock by security guards.

Investigations would reveal if the security guards facilitated the escape, a senior district official said.