Alleged Indian Mujahideen terrorist Afzal Usmani escaped from Mumbai sessions court on Friday exposing the police department's poor security arrangement. Usmani is a suspect in 2008 serial blast in Ahmedabad and Surat, which killed more than 50 people. He is also accused of sending terror emails before and after the incident.
Usmani escaped when he was taken by a small team of police to Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court in Mumbai. The 37-year-old was accompanied by 22 other accused from Taloja jail for a hearing at 2.45 pm.
He reportedly fled from the corridor of the court, despite the presence of about 10 police official there. According to the police officers, the absence of CCTV cameras in the corridor or the gates of the city civil and session's court helped the accused to flee away easily without being noticed.
"This is a considerable blow," The Times of India quoted an unidentified police officer saying so.
"If he is not caught soon, there are chances he will help Indian Mujahideen again. He is accused of taking part in terror conspiracies in Delhi, Jaipur, Hyderabad and Bangalore."
Police however have taken actions after the incident. Bus ports and railways stations are being searched to arrest the offender and the department has also launched a departmental enquiry and two policemen who were escorting Usmani have been suspended.
Mumbai crime branch arrested Usmani in September 2008 for stealing cars and during interrogation he revealed his involvement with the Ahmedabad blasts. He also revealed about 22 other suspects in the case.
While the police department assured that Usmani would be caught soon, the recent incident has exposed and questioned the lapse in the security system.
