A prisoner from Bihar died on Thursday night after falling off the Swatantra Sangram Senani Express in Uttar Pradesh’s Etawah while he was being transported from Delhi back to his home state by Bihar Police after he escaped from Darbhanga jail six months ago.
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The incident near Sarai Bhopat station has raised questions about the circumstances leading to the prisoner’s death. Sonu Kumar, a resident of Loki Pokhar in the Ashok Paper mill area of Darbhanga district in Bihar, had escaped from the Benipur sub-jail on July 18.
He was apprehended by the Delhi Police and then a Bihar police team led by inspector Ranjeet Singh were escorting him back when the incident occurred.
Authorities are currently investigating the details of the incident. While the police have not disclosed any findings yet, rumours are that Sonu Kumar may have attempted to flee again, resulting in his fall.
The local circle officer and SHO reached the scene with a forensic team to conduct a thorough investigation.
Haidar Naqvi is an Assistant Editor with the Hindustan Times in Kanpur and has been with the newspaper since May 1997, after beginning his journalism career with The Times of India. Over more than three decades, he has reported on terrorism, internal security, politics, governance and public affairs, with a particular focus on the changing nature of extremist movements in India.From 2008 to 2011, Haidar was part of the Hindustan Times National Reporting Team, contributing to coverage of some of the country's most significant security stories. He was among the reporters who covered the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as they unfolded and continued reporting on the investigation that exposed the conspiracy behind them.His reporting has followed the rise and evolution of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), the Indian Mujahideen and India's counter-terrorism response, alongside extensive coverage of organised crime and the underworld. He has also reported on Indian Mujahideen serial blasts, the Maoist insurgency, communal riots, parliamentary and assembly elections, and major political developments. Over the years, he has interviewed political leaders, senior police officers, intelligence officials and policymakers, while reporting from communities affected by violence, conflict and public policy.Beyond national security, Haidar has covered politics, minority affairs, governance, wildlife and human-interest stories across Central Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand. A recipient of the coveted Hindustan Times' Star Award, he brings historical perspective, field experience and institutional knowledge to reporting on the intersection of security, governance and society.
