Escape of 3 Pak terrorists: HM seek report, LG orders probe

Delhi Lt Governor Tejinder Khanna on Sunday ordered an inquiry into the escape of three Pakistani nationals, who were being escorted to a city hospital, after the Home Ministry sought a report from Delhi Police and the FRRO on the case.

Khanna ordered a magisterial probe to be conducted by Deputy Commissioner (revenue) of the North-West Delhi district D Yadav and the reported submitted within a week.

"The magisterial probe will examine all aspects of the incident, including the lapses on the parts of the authorities," a top official told PTI.

The Home Ministry has asked Delhi police and the FRRO to submit a report on the three Pakistani nationals -- Abdul Razzak, Mohammed Sadiq and Rafaqat Ali -- who escaped while being escorted to Guru Nanak Eye Hospital by Meghalaya Police personnel on deputation to the Delhi Police's Special Branch.

Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal on Sunday handed over the case relating to the escape, which was registered in Kotwali police station, to the Special Cell of the force.

The Delhi Police has also announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for anyone who provides information about the trio. They also released pictures of the trio for identification.

Delhi Police personnel questioned two persons -- a restaurant owner near Jama Masjid and a Delhi Police Sub-Inspector, who was escorting the Pakistanis -- in connection with the escape which is believed to have taken at the restaurant.

The trio, who were arrested in connection with blasts near the Red Fort nine years ago and were to be deported to Pakistan as they had completed their jail term, escaped on Friday, leaving the authorities red-faced and prompting them to sound an alert in the national capital and neighbouring areas.

After the escape, Delhi Police registered a fresh case against the three for violating the restraint order under the Foreigners' Act.

The three were arrested on October 30, 2000, from Rohtak and Delhi along with five other Pakistani nationals and a huge quantity of arms and ammunition, including 17 kg of high-grade RDX as well as 50 kg of heroin, were recovered from them.

Saddique alias Aslam alias Chacha, 55, a resident of Sabajpur, Sialkot and Rafaqat Ali alias Pappu alias Lohli, 55, hailing from Batapur, Lahore, were convicted for waging war against the state, attempt to murder, conspiracy as also under the Explosives Act and the Arms Act.

Razzak, 61, from Norawal, Lahore was convicted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act for possession of heroin, according to police.

Delhi Police had on Saturday claimed the three Pakistanis were in detention of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, while the FRRO had said the custody of such prisoners was always with the Special Branch of Delhi Police.

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