Convict turns saviour for cops

AHMEDABAD: It could have been the perfect escape hatch for rape convict Jawahar Thakkar when the bus in which the police were escorting him to Ahmedabad crashed into a truck early Tuesday.
But, instead of slipping away under the cover of darkness, Thakkar decided to take the injured policemen and passengers to the nearest hospital.
When Sanand police reached the spot they were pleasantly surprised to have a convict help them out.Head constable Dhiruba Jorubha, who is investigating the case, told TOI that Thakkar could have easily given the slip.
"It was chaos in the darkness with about 15 injured passengers shouting for help," said Dhirubha. According to the police, Thakkar was taken to a court in Bhuj for hearing of another case pending against him on Monday.
"The escort party consisting of assistant sub-inspector Kunsinh Zala and constable Mukesh Thakore were escorting the convict back to the jail in Ahmedabad-bound ST bus from Bhuj," said police.
As the bus was speeding past the Chharodi village on the outskirts of Sanand town near Ahmedabad, the driver missed the dumper-truck parked on the roadside and rammed it.
"We reached the accident site immediately and were astonished to see a prisoner with handcuffs on, helping a policeman and shouting to passing vehicles for help," said police.
The policemen were immediately taken to the nearby primary health centre. Other injured passengers were rushed to the VS Hospital in Ahmedabad. Conductor of the bus Dinesh Chavda succumbed to injuries.