Hyderabad: Prison escort officers spotted having 'chai' with accused

Hyderabad: Prison escort officers were spotted having a cup of 'Irani chai' with three accused who were supposed to be remanded in Chanchalguda prison by the court. The accused who was arrested (in red t-shirt) was seen sitting on the seat of an escort vehicle and having tea with two other escort prison officers before Niagara hotel Chaderghat on Monday evening.

According to reliable sources police went straight from the court to the Niagara hotel to drink 'Irani Chai' with the accused on their way to the prison. In a three-person police escort vehicle, three prisoners were also allowed to smoke beedies in one hand and a cup of Irani Chai in the other spent about 10-15 minutes in front of the hotel and were seen proceeding towards Chanchalguda.

However when contacted the higher officials of the prison department they said that they were unaware about it and will conduct an inquiry on it if the officers belong to the prison department.

As per rules the escort officers are not supposed to mingle with the accused and giving them a chance to escape will cost their jobs. If there is any violation of this rule, action will be taken against him, a senior officer from the prison's department said.