Tihar inmate’s daring escape bid ends in his death

A Tihar Jail inmate died after he sustained serious head injuries in a fall while trying to escape from the jail premises by holding on to a truck leaving after unloading some construction material on Tuesday morning.

According to jail officials, 35-year-old Pappu alias Mehtab was a drug addict who lived in the basement of Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place before being brought to the jail in connection with a theft case.

Last week Pappu was sent to central jail number 1. Due to a history of drug addiction and ensuing complications, he was referred to a drug de-addiction centre the following day.

On Monday, the inmate was sent back to jail number 1.

While Pappu was being taken to the jail hospital on Tuesday, he noticed a truck hired by the Public Works Department contractor going out after unloading some construction material.

As the truck headed towards the exit, Pappu ran after it and caught hold of a hook in the truck’s rear end. But he could not hold on after the truck began speeding and fell, suffering serious head injuries in the process.

He was taken to the jail hospital and thereafter to nearby Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital. The doctors there declared him brought dead. His body has been preserved for post-mortem and his family has been informed.

The matter is being enquired by a Metropolitan Magistrate, the jail authorities said.