Undertrial Prisoner Escapes from Police Custody at Siddipet Government Hospital

An undertrial prisoner escaped from police custody after being brought to Siddipet Government General Hospital for a routine medical examination, triggering an extensive search operation. According to Siddipet One Town CI Mahender Reddy, Jonnala Saikumar of Veldurthi village in Medak district had been arrested on July 15 in connection with alleged thefts of autorickshaws and two-wheelers under the Siddipet and Chinnakodur police station limits. He was subsequently lodged in the Siddipet district jail. On Saturday, an AR sub-inspector and nine police personnel brought seven undertrial prisoners to the hospital for medical examinations. After four prisoners completed their check-ups, they were seated in the police vehicle, while Saikumar was handcuffed to another inmate.

While medical examinations of the remaining prisoners were underway, Saikumar allegedly threatened the inmate handcuffed to him, forcibly freed his hand and escaped through the emergency exit of the police vehicle. He reportedly fled through narrow lanes near the hospital before police could apprehend him. Multiple teams have launched a search operation and are examining CCTV footage from surrounding areas to trace his movements. A case has been registered based on a complaint from the AR sub-inspector. The escape from a busy government hospital despite a police escort has also raised questions over security arrangements, with departmental action reportedly being considered against personnel found negligent.