Undertrial offers liquor to cop, escapes from custody

An undertrial allegedly escaped from custody after offering liquor to a policeman who was escorting him to court, police said today.
Sushil Srivastava, lodged under the Gangster Act, yesterday offered liquor to policeman Virendra Singh and when he became inebriated, the accused fled, police said.
Singh was later found lying unconscious near an advocate's chamber, they said.
Giving details of the incident, police said Srivastava was yesterday scheduled to depose before a court here.
He was brought from jail to the court prison, they said, adding that from there, instead of being taken to court, policeman Singh took Srivastava and another prisoner Kumar to some other place, where they drank liquor, they said.

When Singh and Kumar got inebriated, Srivastava cut the ropes binding his hands and fled from the spot, police said.

In the evening, when head count of prisoners was taken, two inmates were found missing, they said.
A manhunt was launched, during which Singh and Kumar were found lying drunk near an advocate's chamber, they said.
A case of negligence of duty has been lodged against Singh, while Srivastava has been booked for fleeing from judicial custody.
Investigations are on to nab the absconding accused, they said.