Criminal throws red chilli powder at cops, escapes

New Delhi: An alleged criminal escaped from police custody after reportedly throwing chilli powder at three police personnel in a government hospital in Central Delhi on Monday.

The incident took place when Sandeep Dhillon While coming out from the outpatient department, Sandeep reportedly threw red chilli powder in the eyes of the policemen and escaped. The cops also opened fire in an attempt to nab the criminal but the latter fled, said the police.

Sandeep was arrested in 2015 on the charges of committing murder and assault. He was brought to Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) for a dental check-up after being referred from the doctors of Mandoli Jail, where he was lodged for the past two years.

Four men, suspected to be Neeraj Bawana gang members, reportedly threw chilli powder at three cops and took away Sandeep, while he leaving the hospital after his medical examination.

“The accused first threw chilli powder at the three policemen from the Third Battalion of the Delhi armed police. The policemen opened fire at them, but they fled along with the prisoner, convicted in a murder case. In light of this act, the police personnel escorting the undertrial have been suspended,” said a senior police officer.

In the aftermath of this daring escape, the capital has been put on high alert and vigil at border areas has been tightened.

Confirming the incident, DCP (Third Battalion) D.K.S. Singh said, “Undertrial prisoner Sanjay alias Dhillu was convicted in a murder case and since the has been serving time in Mandoli Jail. He had visited the OPD of Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences for treatment on February 9 and was advised to visit again on February 19. On Monday, he was brought to the hospital under the supervision of assistant sub inspector Braj Mohan, assistant SI Naresh Pal, and head constable Yogendra in a vehicle provided by jail authorities.”

“When Sandeep, along with the police guard, was coming out of the hospital after consulting the doctor at 11.20 am, his associates threw chilli powder at the police personnel and managed to free Sanjay from police custody. The police party fired four rounds, but they managed to escape,” he added.

A senior police officer said, “At MAMC, while Braj Mohan and Yogendra took Dhillon to the doctor, Naresh Pal waited in the vehicle parked outside. Around 11.30 am, when the two cops stepped out of the hospital building and were heading towards the police vehicle, four men appeared on two motorcycles and threw chilli powder on Mohan and Yogendra.”