Inmate flees from lock-up while on-duty cops nap

The local crime branch, Palghar had on Friday, brought Maniyar from the Taloja Central Jail and lodged him in the Nalasopara police lock-up for questioning.

A thief escaped from the Nalasopara police station on Saturday morning, by simply removing the overhead asbestos sheet, while the cops on duty were fast asleep. Rizwan Arif Razauddin Mustafa Maniyar, 28, had been arrested by the Waliv police in 2012 for theft and was lodged at the Taloja Jail since then. The local crime branch, Palghar had on Friday, brought Maniyar from the Taloja Central Jail and lodged him in the Nalasopara police lock-up for questioning.

The asbestos sheets removed by him from the police lockup on Saturday. (Surendra Negi)

At around 0730 hours, during roll call, PSI Kamble was shocked to find Maniyar missing from the cell and on observation saw the overhead asbestos sheets missing and reported the matter to his superior.

Yogesh Kumar, additional superintendent of police Vasai confirmed the incident and said that they aresearching for Maniyar. When asked whether the 6 officers on night duty would be suspended for dereliction of duty, the senior officer refused to comment but said the decision would be taken by Sharda Raut, superintendent of police,Palghar district.