Two Bangladeshi prisoners gave police the slip in Murshidabad’s Raghunathganj on Friday while being transported to the Jangipur court, setting off a major search operation in the area.
Police managed to recapture one of the two men following a chase involving local residents, while the second prisoner reportedly escaped towards a nearby waterbody. Police teams have continued searching the area and are also examining how the two men managed to escape from the police vehicle.
Two Bangladeshi nationals detained in Raghunathganj
According to police sources cited in the report, the two men were initially detained late Thursday night near Krishnashail More under Raghunathganj police station.
They had reportedly been noticed moving around suspiciously, prompting police to question them.
During the questioning, police suspected that the two men were Bangladeshi nationals. Their identities were subsequently established as Anarul Sheikh and Mohammad Rubel Sheikh, both reportedly residents of Chapainawabganj in Bangladesh.
Following their detention and questioning, the two were arrested.
Prisoners escape before reaching court
The men were being transported to Jangipur court on Friday when they managed to escape from the police vehicle before it reached its destination.
As soon as police personnel realised that the prisoners had fled, they launched a chase.
The pursuit quickly drew the attention of local residents, some of whom also joined the effort to stop the fleeing men.
Police teams began searching the surrounding area, while residents helped track the movements of the two fugitives.
Local cyclist helps police catch one fugitive
One of the escaped prisoners was eventually recaptured near a club located behind Raghunathganj Boys’ School.
A local cyclist, identified as Sanjit Singh, reportedly played a key role in stopping him.
According to Singh, he noticed the commotion and attempted to intercept the fleeing men. His first attempt was unsuccessful, but he continued following them.
He eventually managed to catch one of the men in a narrow lane.
During the struggle, Singh reportedly fell into a drain and injured his hand. Despite the injury, he helped prevent the prisoner from escaping until the police could take him into custody.
Second prisoner flees towards waterbody
The second fugitive managed to evade the pursuit and reportedly escaped towards an area near a waterbody.
Police subsequently expanded the search operation, checking nearby lanes, the banks of the waterbody and other possible escape routes.
Teams have been searching the surrounding areas in an effort to locate and recapture the remaining prisoner.
The search is continuing as authorities attempt to determine the direction in which the fugitive fled.
Police investigate how prisoners escaped
Alongside the manhunt, police have begun examining the circumstances that allowed the two prisoners to escape from the vehicle while they were being taken to court.
Officials are reportedly looking into whether there was any negligence or security lapse during the transportation of the accused.
The incident has raised questions about the security arrangements used while transporting the two men, particularly given that they were already under arrest and being taken to court for further legal proceedings.
Police are now investigating both the escape itself and the circumstances surrounding the initial detention of the two Bangladeshi nationals.
The recapture of one prisoner has provided some relief to the authorities, but the search for the second fugitive remains underway across Raghunathganj and its surrounding areas.
