A member of the banned People's Liberation Front of India, Krishna Yadav alias Tufan, having 29 criminal cases against him, escaped from police custody in Latehar district of Jharkhand on Tuesday.

Yadav, 29, the extremist outfit’s sub-zonal commander and a native of Karamtoli village under Chanho police station in Ranchi, was arrested by Lohardaga police in December last year from Senha police station area. He had a reward of Rs 2 lakh on his head.

On Tuesday, Yadav came out of the police cell on the pretext of defecating in the open and escaped by climbing the boundary wall of the police station though nine policemen were entrusted to keep a look on him.

“It is surprising that three ASI rank officials and six constables (all armed) kept looking as the rebel leader known for his speed in running and nicknamed Tufan was brought out of the cell to defecate in the open in Balumath police station and escaped. It is a model police station and has toilet facilities for those kept in custody.

“It is more surprising that the rebel leader climbed the nearly 5-feet wall and escaped around 5.30am when the sun was up,” said a senior police official in Latehar.

The official hinted at a nexus between the cops on guard and the rebel leader.

“We do not rule out the greasing of palms of the police by the rebel leader,” said the official on the condition of anonymity.

Balumath police station, nearly 50km from the Latehar district headquarters, is one of the few model police stations in the district boasting of good facilities.

Latehar superintendent of police Prashant Anand said that an investigation would be carried out on the role of the cops entrusted to keep a watch over the rebel.

“We will be conducting a probe and taking stern disciplinary action against the cops entrusted to keep a watch on the rebel. We will be tracing out the rebel leader soon. We have already got some leads about his whereabouts,” said Anand.

Yadav, who was involved in rebel activities in Ranchi, Latehar, Chatra and Hazaribagh districts, was taken on remand by Balumath police. On Tuesday, the remand period was to end and he was supposed to be sent to jail.