A man accused of theft escaped from the civil court premises on Wednesday before he could be produced in front of chief judicial magistrate Syambhu Kumar.

The incident took place around 2pm shortly after assistant sub-inspector of Kotwali police station Mukesh Singh and two constables reached the court with Satyendra Verma (28), accused of stealing a mobile phone, and got busy with the legal formalities at the chief judicial magistrate’s office.

“The accused said he wanted to go to the bathroom. The two constables were taking him in handcuffs to the toilet when he yanked his hands away and ran,” city SP Sujata Kumari Veenapani said.

Satyendra, a resident of Purani Ranchi under Kotwali police station, was arrested on Tuesday night from Jagannath Hospital on Radium Road for stealing a mobile phone from a cabin where one Anil Oraon was undergoing treatment for a broken leg.

An FIR was registered on the basis of a statement given by Anil’s brother Rajeev.

On the future course of action, Veenapani said, “Departmental proceedings will be carried out against the constables for dereliction of duty. Apart from this, efforts are on the arrest the accused once again.”

A police officer said Satyendra had made things difficult for him by escaping.

“The maximum punishment for theft is seven years. Following Satyendra’s escape, a fresh charge would be filed against him and he would have to undergo punishment for two years more,” the cop said.

A civil court advocate Rajesh Kumar said the incident exposed the security lacunae on the court premises. “Civil court is surrounded by a 10ft boundary wall and the only way for anyone to escape the premises is two gates where police are always on guard. It is a matter of concern that the accused escaped despite the presence of cops at the gates.”

SSP Anish Gupta said security at the civil courts would be reviewed. “I have directed city SP to conduct a security audit and plug the loopholes. I have also asked her to take action against the careless cops.”