Angul: A 35-year-old undertrial named Jhasketan Rout escaped while being taken to court for appearance. He was allegedly involved in four murders.

Rout, an accused in four murders in 2016, was to appear before the court for trial. He was being escorted by three constables to court from Angul jail around 10am.

After reaching the court, he asked for a mobile phone from a constable who obliged. He spoke with someone on the phone and then asked the police escorting him to allow him to go to the urinal. Rout went into toilet and never returned.

Soon after, the police launched a manhunt. "We have no detailed information now on how he escaped. The first priority is to nab the criminal who was accused in the killing of four persons. Several blockades have been made in and around the district to nab the fugitive, said inspector in charge of Angul police station R.K. Bisoi.