In a major security lapse, an accused in a snatching case managed to escape from police custody in Punjab's Ludhiana district. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening as a police team was transporting the accused for investigation purposes.
The Dramatic Escape Near Khanna
The accused, identified as Santosh Kumar, a resident of Majri Mohalla in Khanna, was being taken by a Ludhiana police team led by ASI Palwinder Pal Singh. The team had brought him to Khanna to recover the motorcycle allegedly used in the crime and for further probe into the matter. After completing their work, the team was returning to Ludhiana with the accused in their vehicle.
At around 6 pm, the police vehicle stopped at a petrol pump en-route. Two policemen stepped out to use the washroom, leaving one colleague in the driver's seat. Seizing this opportunity, Santosh Kumar, who was seated in the back, allegedly opened the window and fled from the vehicle.
CCTV Footage Captures Botched Chase
On noticing the escape, the policeman in the driver's seat immediately got out and gave chase. However, CCTV footage from the vicinity shows the policeman stumbling and falling face down while running after the fleeing accused. By the time the other two policemen returned to the spot, Santosh Kumar had successfully vanished from the scene.
The matter was promptly reported to the Khanna police. Following the complaint filed by ASI Palwinder Pal Singh, officials from Khanna City-II police station registered a fresh case against Santosh Kumar for escaping from lawful custody.
Police Response and Ongoing Manhunt
Inspector Balwinder Kaur, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Jamalpur police station in Ludhiana, confirmed the developments. She stated that while the police had already recovered a snatched mobile phone from the accused, they had taken him to Khanna for the recovery of the vehicle used in the crime and to look for his accomplices when the escape occurred.
The original snatching case was registered against Santosh Kumar on July 7, 2025, at the Jamalpur police station in Ludhiana. Police authorities have assured that intensive efforts are now underway to re-arrest the fugitive accused. The incident has raised serious questions about procedural security during the transportation of detainees.
