Undertrial sneaks into veggie van, escapes from prison

An undertrial escaped from the Bangalore Central Prisons at Parappana Agrahara by hiding himself in a van transporting vegetables, on Tuesday morning.

David was arrested in connection with burglary, theft and dacoity in 2013.

Around 9 am, a van which transports vegetables from the prison to markets in the city arrived on the premises. The van was loaded with vegetables grown by the prisoners on the premises. David, who was strolling around, found the van unguarded, sneaked into its carrier compartment and hid himself amidst the gunny bags containing vegetables, police said. The driver of the van got down from the vehicle, outside the main entrance, to sign the register. David used the opportunity to sneak out and fled, police said.

The incident came to light in the evening, when the prison warden began the head c
ount. He found David missing. They searched the entire premises including kitchen, toilets and prison cells, but David was not to be found. Senior officials in the prison were informed and the CCTV footage was examined. It showed David getting inside the carrier compartment of the van and jumping out when the driver parked the van outside the entrance, police said.

“Senior police officers visited the prison and gathered details. A few staffers and inmates were questioned. The prison has a two-tier security checking system. But the guards have failed to check the van as it comes every day. The guards were callous. If they had checked the van, David wouldn’t have escaped. An internal enquiry has been ordered and a report will be submitted to H N Satyanarayana Rao, DGP, Prisons department. Officials found guilty will be suspended,” said Veerabhadra Swamy, DIG, Prisons department.

Based on a complaint filed by the prison officials, the Parappana Agrahara police have registered a case. David’s photograph has been sent to all stations to help trace him, said the police. He has cases against him in Jalahalli, Devanahalli, Yelahanka, Chikkajala and other stations.  In April 2015, Manjunath, 33, a life convict, hoodwinked the cops and managed to flee the Parappana Agrahara prison.