Eight Police Officers Suspended After Murder Accused Escapes From Court Premises

Angul: Angul SP Mitrabhanu Mohapatra on Friday suspended at least eight police personnel about eight hours after a murder accused escaped from the premises of a local court in Angul district.

“Two constables and six havildars have been suspended as they were found to be irresponsible in discharging their duty,” informed Additional SP JN Hansda.

The accused identified as Jhasketan Rout, who was brought to the court for a hearing in connection with the murder of four persons, fled the spot by breaking the grill of the toilet inside the court premises.

He reportedly took away a mobile phone while fleeing.

Rout was arrested by Jarapada police on February 12, 2016, for allegedly killing two brothers, Jogeswar Sahu and Hirankashya Sahu of Kusakila village in the district, over business rivalry.

During interrogation, Jhasketan had confessed that he had murdered the duo and buried their bodies in a pit behind a school. The bodies were later dug out from the 15-20 feet deep pit.

Later, the police came to know that the accused had also killed a woman Abala Gadnayak and her nephew Kumuda Sahu of Kukurpeta and buried the bodies behind the same school.