NASHIK, May 29: A surprise check by a inspector at the Malegaon sub-jail on Wednesday revealed that four local gangsters had escaped from their cell.According to police, during a surprise check by Inspector Atmaram Karawate, the prisoners, Rais Ahmed, Shaikh Ayub Shaikh Gulab, Hamid Ahmed Shabbir Ahmed and Mohammed Rafiq Rashid Sayyed were found missing. The window bars of their cell had been sawed off. The four belonged to the Sagir Kalwa gang operating in Malegaon.

Other gangsters in the neighbouring cell were caught watching a movie on a TV set. Two video cassettes were also found in the cell, from where the gangsters had escaped. Private tiffin boxes were also seized. The four, wanted in several cases of extortion, dacoities and burglaries, had been arrested on July 22, 1996 and were lodged at the sub-jail in the premises of the tashildar's office, about a year ago.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.