Patna: A dramatic incident unfolded at the Gopalganj civil court on Thursday when two arrested liquor smugglers escaped from police custody while being produced before a special excise court. However, police quickly re-arrested one of them, while efforts were on to trace the second.According to officials, the accused had been brought for judicial proceedings after their arrest in a liquor smuggling case. Taking advantage of the crowd and a security lapse, the duo slipped out of their handcuffs and fled the court premises before police could react.The accused have been identified as Raja Pandey, a resident of Vikrampur village under Kuchaikot police station area, and Dhoni Kunwar of Salempur Ahirauli Daan village.They were arrested on Wednesday by an excise department team during vehicle checking drive at the Balthhari check post in Kuchaikot. Officials said both were transporting 10 cartons of liquor each and were booked under the state’s prohibition laws.The escape triggered panic in the court complex, prompting an immediate police response. Search teams cordoned off nearby areas, and Pandey was chased down and caught near Minj Stadium Road shortly after fleeing.Excise superintendent Amritesh Kumar confirmed the incident and said separate teams have been formed to arrest the absconding accused. “Raids are being conducted at multiple locations, including roads, bus stands and suspected hideouts, to trace Kunwar,” he said.Police have also initiated an inquiry into the security lapse that enabled the escape.
