MICHAEL FERNANDES AGAIN ESCAPES FROM POLICE

PANJIM: Notorious criminal Michael Fernandes again managed to escape from custody making his fifth escape.  His accomplice, Dipak Kerkar, who had also fled with him from Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) complex at Bambolim, was nabbed near Goa University within hours of his escape.  Deputy Superintendent of Police Deu Benaulikar said that Michael and Dipak were brought to IPHB after they complained of ‘mental illness.’

Both were arrested on April 11 after a hot chase at a forest in Khola, Canacona. Michael a frequent jail breaker had earlier jumped from a moving police van on February 22 while being taken back from GMC to Sada jail.

Police said that duo was lodged in a lock up at Bicholim and were taken to a regular check up at primary health centre. While both of them complained of mental uneasiness, the doctors referred them to IPHB. “They were taken to Bicholim police to investigate a robbery case on a transfer warrant since yesterday,” Benaulikar said.

Four constables were accompanying them. “As they got down from the vehicle, both of them, jerked the hand of constables and began running,” a senior police officer said.

Police sources stated that after his recent re-arrest, Michael had told the policemen accompanying him that he would run again. After his open challenge to the department, escort cell had issued memo to its staff stating that Michael should not be taken to the court till handcuffing is allowed.

However, the officer said that today both were handcuffed but their handcuffs were removed during checking.  After their escape, police launched a massive manhunt, which fetched Dipak Kerkar who was found near Goa University. Michael, however, could not be arrested.

Two police constables were suspended after Michael’s escape from police van near Chicalim junction earlier in February.  Michael was an important link for the Goa police, who are investigating the plot to harm family members of Home minister Ravi Naik.

Michael, 23, accused of 30-odd criminal cases in Goa, Maharashtra and other parts of the country, had in September 2010 confessed to accepting contract from one Joe Boy to kill Roy and harm his family. However, state police are yet to file FIR against him.  Police had recently objected to the anticipatory bail plea of Joe Boy, who allegedly gave contract to Michael a story created by Ravi Naik to protect his drug dealer son in collaboration with Goa Police.