Days after Punjab’s one of the most-wanted drug smuggler Amrik Singh escaped from Patiala’s Government Rajindra Hospital on Saturday evening, Punjab Government on Thursday suspended the services of Patiala Jail’s Deputy Superintendent (Security), one Warrant Officer, and two warders. Besides, show cause notices have also been issued to Patiala Jail Superintendent and Assistant Jail Superintendent.
On the directions of Punjab Jails Minister Harjot Singh Bains to take strict action in the matter of the escape of a prisoner, Punjab Prisons Department DSP (Security) Varun Sharma posted for prison security at Patiala Jail; Assistant Superintendent-cum-Warrant Officer Harbans Singh, Jail Warders Satpal Singh and Mandeep Singh.
Apart from this, a show cause notice has been issued to Patiala Jail Superintendent Manjit Singh Tiwana and Assistant Jail Superintendent Jagjit Singh.
Notably, Amrik Singh, a resident of Dedna village of Ghagga block of Patiala district, was serving his sentence in Patiala jail from where he was admitted to Rajinder Hospital for treatment on the pretext of treatment. The prisoner escaped from the hospital due to the negligence of the staff members.
During the transfer of the prisoner from Patiala Jail to Rajindra Hospital, the rules set by the State Government were also violated. As per arrangements, two jail officials were to be on duty, but only one was present in the hospital when Amrik Singh escaped. The local police was also not informed by the jail officials about bringing such a notorious criminal to the hospital.
The Jails Minister categorically warned the officers and employees of the Department that any kind of negligence will not be tolerated in such types of cases.
Amrik Singh is considered a vital link between the cross-border heroin network and local drug dealers. Involved in drug smuggling since 2004, Amrik is facing at least seven cases under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Narcotic Drugs Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act, and the Arms Act.