Three police personnel, including an assistant sub-inspector, were suspended in Odisha’s Jajpur district on Saturday following the escape of a theft suspect from custody, officials said.
SP Yash Pratap Shrimal issued the suspension orders for ASI Achutananda Das and constables Vidyapati Palei and Santosh Kumar Sahoo, all of whom were stationed at the Brahmabarada police station.
According to police, the accused has been identified as 24-year-old Asish Kumar Behera, also known as Somu, from Chandamohini village. He is considered the primary suspect in a theft at Kundapatana hospital that occurred several months ago.
Following a tip-off, a police team apprehended Behera from his home late Friday night and brought him to the Brahmabarada police station. He was kept in custody and was scheduled to be produced before a local court on Saturday, officials said.
However, despite being under active police surveillance, the suspect managed to break custody and flee during the early hours of the day.
Two other individuals linked to the same hospital theft had already been arrested and remained in jail as of last month.
Following the incident, the SP directed Jajpur Road SDPO Sarat Chandra Parida to conduct a formal investigation into the matter.
Based on the preliminary findings pointing to negligence, the three personnel were placed under suspension, officials said.
Efforts are underway to trace and re-arrest the absconding accused, they said.
