Chhatrapal was to be presented in the district courts in phase-II Noida. According to the police, he escaped while being taken to the court of the Additional District Judge.

Embarrassed by yet another slip-up in the courts — there have been several cases of violence, shooting and killings in the court complex in the past (see box for some past incidents) — the police have formed a special team for the manhunt.

On Monday, “he snatched the handcuff from the constable taking him and the other two accused in the court,” Superintendent of Police (City) Paresh Pandey said. “He ran towards the forest areas close by.”

Chhatrapal had been arrested from Noida on November 17, 2006. Anant, 3, was abducted on November 13, 2006 and the family had reported receiving ransom calls.

Chhatrapal had been charged with kidnapping; and the police claimed he had also made the ransom calls. Post-arrest, he was lodged in Dasna district jail.

The district courts are housed close to the Hindon river and the protected area along its banks. The accused, police officials said, knows the area well since he comes from a nearby village.

Police records show there have been close to 50 incidents of “gang wars” in Noida fought in the court complex. In almost all the cases, the accused have used the nearby woods to good effect to enter and flee the court complex after their attacks.

As for Chhatrapal’s escape, SP Pandey said the police do not have “any valid information as of now” about likely hideouts. The police are at present relying on interrogation of six others accused in the case to get to the runaway convict.