Mohd Akheeluddin alias Khalifa escaped after his associates allegedly used pepper spray on two policemen escorting him.
The incident occurred last evening when Khalifa, arrested on charges of chain snatching and receiving stolen property, was being taken back to the prison by L B Nagar police after his appearance in a court, they said.
"The policemen and the accused were leaving from a hotel after having meals when two motorbike-borne persons suddenly appeared and allegedly used pepper spray on the escorts, enabling Akheeluddin to escape," Chaitanyapuri Police Station M Ravinder Reddy said.