Mumbai: Mobile theft suspect escapes from police custody after attacking cop

The police have launched a manhunt to nab the suspect. Pic/Hanif Patel

A 27-year-old mobile theft suspect allegedly attacked a police constable with an iron rod and escaped from custody at the Crime Branch headquarters in Kanakia, Mira Road near Mumbai, early on Monday morning, police sources said.

The injured Crime Branch constable, Jaykumar Somnath Rathod, is currently hospitalised and receiving medical treatment. The police have launched a manhunt to nab the suspect, an official said.

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According to the police sources, the accused, Haifal Kalu Ali (27), a resident of Bhayander, had been apprehended in connection with a mobile theft case by the Crime Branch and was taken in for interrogation on Monday morning. Mira Road Police have filed an FIR against the accused and apprehended him late at night at CST railway station.

A police official said, the incident occurred between 1:30 and 2:00 am on Monday while Haifal was in custody at the Crime Branch for interrogation. The accused was handcuffed, and during a meal break, when one police officer went to get food, Haifal took advantage of the situation, attacked Constable Jaykumar Rathod with an iron rod, removed the handcuffs, and escaped from the premises.

Rathod sustained serious head injuries during the attack. He was initially taken to a Lifeline clinic for treatment and later admitted to a local hospital in Mira Road. Constable Rathod suffered severe head injuries, he said.