Accused drowns to death after escaping from lockup

THODUPUZHA: An accused who escaped from the lockup at the police station drowned to death after jumping into a river. The deceased has been identified as Shafi K Ibrahim, 29, of Kulangattu in Parakkadavu, Thodupuzha. He was taken into custody by the Thodupuzha police at around 8.30 am yesterday in a case of assaulting a security guard in the city. Shafi, who was taken into custody, was put inside a lockup but it was not locked. Police say he opened the lockup door and ran away when officers lost sight of him. He was chased by the police but fled to the Thodupuzha river near the police quarters. He disappeared after a short swim ahead. The Thodupuzha fire brigade was informed but the scuba team had gone to Mullaperiyar. A search was carried out by a team from the Kallurkadu fire station. The body was found at 11.45 am near the Papputti ghat.

Police said there were several cases pending against Shafi, including drugs and theft. The district police chief directed the Special Branch DySP to investigate the incident. District police chief R Karuppaswamy said the police had been negligent in the incident and action would be taken.