Man, accused of stealing weapons army institute, tricks police, escapes from hospital

A man, accused of stealing rifles and ammunition from an army institute in Mhya Presh, tricked police guards by making an excuse of going to washroom and escaped from a Punjab hospital by scaling its wall early on Tuesday, officials said.

Harpreet Singh (25), a "military deserter", was undergoing treatment at Hoshiarpur civil hospital for a hand injury since December 31, y said.

"He hoodwinked our policemen by making an excuse of going to washroom," Hoshiarpur Senior Superintendent of Police Guarav Garg told PTI over phone, asserting that he will be caught soon.

Singh tricked at least four police personnel guarding him and n climbed wall of hospital at around 4:30 am to escape, officials said, ding that he was lodged at a jail in Hoshirapur district.

He is facing charges for stealing two INSAS rifles and ammunition from army's training institute in Pachmarhi in Mhya Presh, y said.

Singh, who was a sepoy in Indian Army, was arrested from Chotala vill near Tanda in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district, in December. He was declared a "military deserter" in October last year.

Singh's three accomplices were also arrested at that time. Posing as army officers, accused h stolen rifles and ammunition in early hours of December 6.

stolen arms and ammunition were recovered.

He is facing charges under sections of 380 (ft), 399 (making preparation to commit dacoity) and 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) of Indian Penal Code and Arms Act, police h n said.