Murder convict escapes police custody after suicide bid

A murder convict undergoing treatment at the government hospital here after an alleged suicide bid in the central prison here managed to escape Tuesday, police said.

They said the 31-year-old Selvaraj, undergoing life sentence in a murder case some three years ago, allegedly cut his wrist and also consumed mosquito repellent three days ago in his cell, reportedly due to differences with his wife.

However, he was rescued by cellmates and rushed to the government hospital, where he was undergoing treatment.

Selvaraj, hailing from Sankari in Salem district, was found missing from the hospital early Tuesday, police said, adding a manhunt is on for him.