Assam undertrial escapes from custody on a moving train in Gujarat

In a dramatic incident that has raised questions about police vigilance, a 23-year-old undertrial from Assam, accused in a case involving the abduction of a minor, slipped out of police custody in the early hours of Saturday while being escorted by train through Gujarat.

Birajdas aka Bisnudas Ajaydas, resident of Rampur village in Assam’s Nalbari district, managed to free himself from handcuffs and flee between Surendranagar and Sanand railway stations, the First Information Report lodged by the escorting team mentions.

Assam police team on transit

The Barpeta police in Assam had registered a case under Section BNS in connection with the alleged abduction of a minor girl, Gargi Kashyap. Acting on mobile location data, a team led by Sub-Inspector Kiran Jat traced the accused to Porbandar, Gujarat, and secured a transit warrant from a Porbandar court on September 16 to bring him back to Barpeta for trial.

The team, accompanied by the rescued minor, boarded train no. 20937 Porbandar–Delhi Sarai Rohilla Express, travelling in coach B/01, with the accused seated in seat no. 10 and secured with handcuffs.

Escaped in the dead of night

Sub-Inspector Jat stated in his complaint that the escort remained alert until the train passed Surendranagar railway station, but around 3.30 am, when the officers briefly dozed off, they awoke to find the accused missing and the rope used to secure his handcuffs lying on the seat.

The team immediately alerted other passengers and searched adjoining coaches, but Birajdas could not be located. They disembarked at Mehsana railway station, hired a private vehicle and rushed to the Viramgam Government Railway Police Station, where a formal FIR was lodged.

Police described the fugitive as about 5ft 1in tall, wearing a medium-length black coat over a white shirt and black trousers at the time of his escape. The case has been registered under Section of the BNS, which pertains to escaping from lawful custody, and further investigation is on to trace down the accused.

Authorities have appealed to the public and railway passengers for any information that could help trace the accused. Assam Police and Gujarat GRP have launched a statewide manhunt, with checks ordered at railway stations and bus terminals across the region.