Head constable among three policemen suspended in Vellore as undertrial prisoner escapes

A head constable and two junior constables from Armed Reserve (AR) wing of the district police in Vellore were suspended for the escape of an undertrial prisoner on their return from Chennai after attending court proceedings.

The police said that based on the inquiry report, the Superintendent of Police U.N. Sivaraman, issued a suspension order against three constables for dereliction of duty. They constables were K. Balamurugan, head constable, and constables B. Kumaran and S. Pandian.

Initial inquiry revealed that the accused R. Chandru, 22, a resident of Avadi near Chennai, was involved in several criminal cases in the area. He was lodged in Puzhal prison in Chennai for chain snatching. The police said that Chandru got into a quarrel with a fellow inmate in the prison. Subsequently, he was shifted to Central Prison in Vellore. Along with escort team, Chandru was taken to Chennai to appear before Madras High Court for hearing.

On their return, the police van got punctured on Chennai - Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) near Sunguvarchatram in Kancheepuram on Tuesday. As the escort team was attending the problem, Chandru requested the police personnel to allow him to go to a nearby toilet, and then fled the spot.

Following the incident, a case was registered by Sunguvachattiram police to trace the escaped suspect. Special teams were formed to nab him. A probe is underway.