Man accused in murder of four escapes from court in Odisha’s Angul

Angul: Jhasketan Rout alias Jharu, who had allegedly murdered four persons, escaped from the premises of a local court in Odisha’s Angul district today.

According to reports, the under-trial prisoner, who was brought to the court for hearing in connection with the murder case, fled the spot by breaking the asbestos of an urinal inside the court premises.

“We are carrying out searches at various places to nab Jhasketan. Action will be taken against the escort team if lapses are found. Steps are being taken for protection of witnesses in the case,” said Angul SP Mitrabhanu Mohapatra.

The Jarapada police had arrested Jhasketan on February 12, 2016. Following marathon rounds of intense grilling, he reportedly confessed to have committed the crime.

Notably, family members of Jogeswar Sahu and Hirankshya Sahu of Kusakila village under Jarapada police station limits in Angul district had complained before the police alleging involvement of Jhasketan in the two going missing.

Bodies of Jogeswar and Hirankshya were exhumed from a 15-16 ft deep pit behind the village school. During interrogation, Jhasketan confessed to the police that he had also murdered one woman Abala Gadnayak and her nephew Kumuda Sahu of Kukurpeta area under Chhendipada police limits in a similar manner and buried the bodies in a pit near same school.