Punjilal Meher, ‘Mastermind’ Behind Escape Bid Of 7 Dacoits From Patnagarh Jail!

Balangir: After foiling an attempt of seven dacoits to escape from Patnagarh sub-jail in Odisha’s Balangir district on Thursday morning, the jail authorities told the media that it was allegedly stage-managed by Punjilal Meher, the prime accused in the parcel bomb blast case.

“Punjilal, who wants to be shifted from the Patangarh sub-jail to other jail, had prepared a blueprint to escape with the seven dacoits,” Patnagarh sub-jail superintendent Pradipta Mahalingam told mediapersons here.

The incident took place early in the morning when Punjilal along with seven dacoits came out of the prison cell and tried to escape through the main gate. As the security in-charge blew the siren, the security staff rushed to the main gate where the managed to overpower them after a scuffle. The security staff later put all of them inside the prison cell.

Also Read: Patnagarh Parcel Bomb Case Prime Accused Punjilal Meher Arrested 

The parcel bomb case, which claimed two lives at Bholanathpada village in Odisha’s Balangir on February 23 last year, had sent shock waves across the state. The newly-wed couple Soumya Sekhar Sahu, his wife Rimamani and grandmother Jemamani were grievously injured while opening a gift pack which exploded.

Following a request by Rimarani and her family, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ordered a Crime Branch probe into the incident. The Crime Branch took over the investigation on March 23 and arrested Punjilal on April 25.