MEERUT: In an embarrassment for UP Police, a dreaded gangster serving life sentence for a murder escaped from police custody after spiking sweets given to half a dozen police personnel who were guarding him.Badan Singh Baddo, 48, lodged in Fatehgarh Central Jail was brought to Ghaziabad for a hearing on Thursday, but he managed to escape from a hotel room in Meerut with the help of his associates.Additional director general (Meerut zone) Prashant Kumar said, “He was moved out from Fatehgarh jail and was to be taken back after hearing in Ghaziabad court. This is unfortunate that our police team was involved in his escape. The big question is why did they bring him here? There is a clear instruction that hearings involving high-profile criminals will take place through video-conferencing. Investigations are on.”According to sources, the cops informed local police almost three hours after Baddo had disappeared from the hotel room.Baddo was sentenced to life on October 31 for the murder of Ravinder Singh, a lawyer, in 1996.Known for his suave lifestyle, Baddo, a diehard fan of Al Pacino, is known for his bespoke tuxedos, designer shades, Swiss watches and luxury vehicles. The gangster owns a palatial house in Meerut and is known for staying in costly suits in five-star hotels.“Badan Singh Baddo serving life term in murder case was transferred to Fatehgarh central jail on June 29, 2018 from Gautam Buddh Nagar jail on administrative ground. On March 20, three persons came to meet him jail. He had court hearing in CJM II of Ghaziabad on Thursday, and hence was sent with a team of six cops of Fatehgarh civil police on Wednesday night,” said Fatehgarh jail superintendent B K Singh while speaking with TOI.Fatehgarh superintendent of police Anil Kumar Mishra said, “Prima facie, it seems to be gross negligence of six policemen who were escorting Badan Singh Baddo. A senior level officer has been sent to Meerut to investigate the case.”

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