GUJRANWALA, June 24: Raiding teams failed to re-arrest the main accused of the Sialkot jail incident, former inspector Zulfikar Ali Virk, despite the passage of 24 hours. The former inspector had managed his escape from a local anti-terrorism court on Thursday after hearing of the case. Police teams are continuing raids at various places in and outside the city for the arrest of the accused.

It was learnt that the accused had offered a lunch at a hotel to the Sialkot Civil Lines SHO and other policemen escorting him. Before taking meal, the policemen opened handcuffs of the accused. ‘Seizing an opportunity, the accused inspector slipped away in an official vehicle reportedly provided by Nadim Sarwer, a Motorway police patrol officer.’

It is suspected that the accused went to Islamabad from where he took the flight and left for Dubai. His friends had reportedly made all arrangements before hand for this purpose.

On the other hand, the Anti-Terrorism Court No 1 issued summons to jail tragedy complainants — former Sialkot sessions judge Muhammad Yousaf Aujala and three other judges for evidence. But they have reportedly requested the court to send them summon through the high court. The court adjourned the hearing till July 7.

Meanwhile, carrying out the DIG’s orders, the Civil Lines police on Friday booked 20 policemen, including a Sialkot SHO, on the charge of negligence of duty. DSP (Headquarters) Tariq Warraich was the complainant of the escape case. Insiders said that the accused inspector escaped with the abetment of Sialkot SHO Sheikh Muhammad Ilyas and other policemen.