the goan I network
PANAJI
Ishwar Macwana, the main accused in the sensational Betalbatim gangrape case escaped from the TB Hospital at Tonca-Panjai by dramatically overpowering a sentry guard in the predawn hours on
Monday.
Macwana, who was being treated for symptoms of tuberculosis at the hospital since November 28, left his prisoner ward on the pretext of using the washroom. Noticing three out of the four sentry guards asleep, he pushed away the lone sentry guard and escaped from the hospital.
DIG Rajesh Kumar has ordered an inquiry into the incident and placed Head Constable Rajendra Tamse and 3 other constables -- Ladu Raul, Sanjay Khandeparkar and Uday Naik, who were on sentry duty at the hospital, under suspension.
Police have launched a manhunt for Macwana, DIG Kumar said.The 24-year-old Macwana who is a native of Madhya Pradesh is said to be a hardened criminal. He has a total of five criminal cases registered against him which includes two murder cases, including a double-murder and a rape case.
Macwana was arrested by Goa Police along with two others - Ram Bhariya and Sanjiv Pal - also of MP in May this year in the sensational gang-rape of a 20-year-old woman at Betalbatim beach. The trio allegedly raped the survivor and then forced her boyfriend to rape her. They also filmed the act and threatened the couple with circulating the video online if they failed to pay up Rs 1 lakh to them.
As the trial in the case is on, he was lodged at the Central Jail in Colvale since then.
He was being treated for tuberculosis Government TB Hospital in Tonca since November 28.
In the morning, while the three sentry guards were asleep, Macwana told the fourth guard that he wanted to use to washroom, when he suddenly pushed the guard and made good his escape.
Police filed a 292-page charge-sheet against all the three accused and had listed 55 witnesses.
Makawana during interrogation had also told the Goa police that he is involved in eight gang-rapes, 12 robberies and a double murder in November 2017. He also confessed to having raped the daughter of a friend.
RAPE ACCUSED
Ishwar Makwana, 24
ARRESTED FOR
Betalbatim gangrape
CRIME HISTORY
Total of five criminal cases registered against him
Two murder cases, including a double-murder and a rape case
He is capable of walking 100 kms via rail tracks, says the Indore police
Indore police say that the accused is capable of covering a 100 kilometer distance on foot along the railway tracks to avoid Goa police dragnet
According to an Indore police officer, Ishwar Macwana may even try to hide himself in the jungles to avoid being caught
Makwana was arrested by Goa Police along with two others - Ram Bhariya and Sanjiv Pal - also of MP in May this year in the sensational gang-rape of a 20-year-old woman at Betalbatim beach
