Convict escapes from court premises in Odisha Capital after hearing quantum of punishment

Bhubaneswar: A convict managed to escape from the police custody in Bhubaneswar today after hearing a court’s pronouncement on quantum of punishment against him.

The convict, a notorious drug peddler Bijaya Kumar Mania was produced before the Additional District Judge-3 Court in Bhubaneswar. After hearing arguments of the counsel of respondents and defendant, the court convicted Mania for drug peddling. The court awarded 10-year jail to Mania and fined him Rs 1 lakh.

While being taken to the jail amid tight police security, Mania escaped from the court premises.

Earlier, the Cuttack Flying Squad nabbed him a few days back for his involvement in illegal drug trade under the NDPS Act.

This is second such case as another accused gave a slip to the police while being taken to a court.