Accused hunter escapes from hospital during medical check-up in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj

Baripada: A hunter, who was arrested yesterday along with two others following a raid and seizure of leopard hides, has escaped from the hospital during a medical check-up in Mayurbhanj.

The incident came to the fore today after Baripada divisional forest officer (DFO) lodged an FIR in this regard at the Town police station to trace out the arrested.

The runaway animal body part trader has been identified as Rupaya Marandi.

A source said that three persons were arrested in connection with the seizure of four leopard hides in Bahalda locality of the district. A joint team of Forest officials from Baripada, Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) and Rairangpur had conducted the raid leading to the arrests.

Rupaya complained of chest pain and he was later taken to Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital (PRMMCH) in Baripada at night for treatment.

However, taking advantage of the alleged security lapses, the accused could manage to give a slip to the Forest personnel and flee from their custody when he was in the health facility.

Meanwhile, the DFO has issued a show-cause notice to one of his on-duty subordinates.

Town police have launched a manhunt and formed four teams to nab the accused.