Jailor Vijay Rodkar, sub-jailor Balagouda Kesaripanti and chief warder Gajanan Rajgolkar, who were lodged in the Dharwad Sub-Jail, were taken aback when at least three inmates pounced and started raining blows on them on Tuesday. Many of the inmates were eagerly waiting for the arrival of the trio as their fingers were itching to settle scores with the suspended jail staff.  They seemed to have worked out their plan well on learning that the three were being shifted to the jail.

According to sources, the scene was straight out of Indian films and the trio were punched and kicked around. The three were badly injured by the time they were rescued. They were shifted to Civil Hospital in the City as they had sustained injuries all over the body. The three were taken back to the prison after treatment at the hospital.

The three were arrested by the CID police on Monday for allegedly destroying evidence in connection with a murder of prison inmate Bheemappa Kamte (39), a native of Bhendwad in Raibag taluk, on December 27, 2005.

Anand Navale of Shimoga, Jockey and Mani from Bangalore, who are serving sentences in different crimes, attacked the three. The sources said Navale, Jockey and Mani were harassed by Rodkar when they were lodged in the Hindalga Central Jail earlier.

The post mortem report of Kamte had revealed that he had been murdered and the National Human Rights Commission had directed the CID to investigate the case. Imamsab Honnali resident of Munavalli in Soundatti taluk was arrested earlier for allegedly assaulting Kamte that resulted in the death. Later two others who had allegedly given supari to Imamsab, were arrested.