Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal (RJP)
Bhatkal, Dec 9: A cab driver who was abducted by a gang of robbers had a miraculous filmy style escape at Shirali checkpost near here on Tuesday December 8 evening.
The driver, Jameel Ahmed (34) from Yallapur Street, was injured in the dramatic escape from his abductors.
As per details, a gang of people hired Jameel to drive them from Hubballi to Uttara Kannada district. When they reached Baleguli in Ankola, they tied Jameel’s hands and legs in an attempt to take away the car.
When the car reached Shirali checkpost and had to slow down, Jameel pushed the car door open and jumped out. Within an hour of Jameel’s escape, the police managed to impound the Swift car near Bengre canteen, but the gang managed to escape. One member of the gang had fallen out from the car when Jameel pushed the door open for his escape, it is said. The police have taken that man for questioning.
Jameel has been admitted to the taluk government hospital. Further details from him will reveal more information about the gang, police said. The gang had changed the name plate of the car. All the vehicles on the highway are being checked by the police. The thieves could have moved separately from Murdeshwar to avoid police, it is said. DySP Anoop Shetty said that investigation is in progress.
Some sources said, the public who heard shouts from Jameel from the car suspected that there was something wrong and tried to intercept the car. Incidentally, local MLA Mankal Vaidya’s car was just behind the Swift car, and the culprits let the MLA's car overtake them near Shirali check post. The police at the check post tried to stop the car, but in vain. In the attempt, the window of the Swift car got smashed. In the resulting chaos, Jameel saw his opportunity and quickly opened the door and escaped.
Later, the Swift car overtook the MLA’s car. On realizing that the car's occupants were abductors, the MLA's car chased the Swift, but lost it. Thereafter, when the people near Bengre canteen tried to intercept the car, the occupants stopped the vehicle and ran away. The MLA who witnessed these events has confirmed these facts in his statement to the police.