Undertrial Accused In Attempt To Murder Case Escapes From Dindoshi Court Premises; FIR Registered At Kurar Police Station

An undertrial prisoner accused in an attempt to murder case escaped from police custody on the premises of the Dindoshi Court in Mumbai on Friday, October 23, prompting the Mumbai Police to register a First Information Report and initiate a manhunt.

The accused, identified as Ibrahim Sajid Mujawar, was lodged at Arthur Road Jail. He was produced before Court Number 10 at the Dindoshi Court complex in the western suburbs pursuant to requisite production warrants. The production proceedings concluded at approximately 4:15 PM, following which the prisoner was to be escorted back to the jail.

According to the FIR lodged at the Kurar Police Station based on the statement of Constable Mane, the escape occurred while the accused was standing near the police vehicle designated for his return transit. The constable stated that Mujawar suddenly pushed him, broke free from lawful custody, and crossed the road. Despite an immediate chase, the accused managed to board an autorickshaw and fled the scene.

The police have invoked Sections 224 and 353 of the Indian Penal Code against the escaped prisoner. Section 224 pertains to resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension, while Section 353 deals with assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty. A search operation is currently underway to trace the absconding undertrial.

What charges have been invoked against the escaped undertrial prisoner?

The Mumbai Police have registered an FIR under Sections 224 and 353 of the Indian Penal Code. Section 224 covers resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension, and Section 353 penalises assault or criminal force used to deter a public servant from discharging official duties.

Sequence Of Events Leading To Escape

The incident unfolded during a routine judicial production. Mujawar, booked for attempt to murder, was transported from Arthur Road Jail to the Dindoshi Court complex. Following the conclusion of court proceedings at roughly 4:15 PM, the accused was handed over to the escort party for the return journey. While positioned near the prison van, the undertrial exploited a momentary lapse, applied physical force against the escorting constable, and sprinted across the roadway. The constable pursued the prisoner; however, Mujawar secured an autorickshaw and disappeared into traffic.

The prompt registration of the FIR at the Kurar Police Station formalised the custodial breach. The statement of the constable on duty serves as the primary basis for the charges of escape from lawful custody and assault on a public servant. The Mumbai Police have deployed teams to track the fugitive, who remains at large as of the latest update.

Legal Implications Of Custodial Escape

The escape of an undertrial from the immediate vicinity of a court complex highlights operational vulnerabilities in prisoner transit protocols. The invocation of Section 224 IPC addresses the specific offence of escaping from lawful custody, which carries a term of imprisonment that may extend to two years, or a fine, or both. Section 353 IPC, a non-bailable offence, addresses the violence offered to the constable during the discharge of his statutory duty to retain custody. The registration of the FIR initiates a fresh criminal proceeding independent of the underlying attempt to murder charge for which the prisoner was originally produced.

The authorities are expected to review the security arrangements governing the movement of high-risk undertrials between correctional facilities and courtrooms to prevent recurrence of such breaches. The investigation into the escape proceeds parallel to the trial in the predicate offence.