KOHAT, Jan 26: The deputy administrator of the Kohat Frontier Region, who was made officer on special duty (OSD) following the escape of a notorious criminal from the lockup, has been reinstated, Dawn has learnt.

Mr Riaz Khattak was made OSD after Sakhi Badshah, who was arrested after remaining wanted for 20 years, escaped from the lockup within the premises of the Frontier Region office.

According to the law, a most-wanted prisoner was required to be shifted to the district prison after initial investigations. But Sakhi was kept in the Frontier Region lockup for six months and enjoyed all perks, including the cell phone facility.

He was wanted by police in 16 cases of kidnapping for ransom, dacoities and car snatching. More than a dozen stolen vehicles were recovered from his various dens in Darra Adam Khel.

A high-level inquiry was conducted into the incident and Riaz Khattak was replaced by Mr Fida, currently serving as an assistant political agent of the Frontier Region, Peshawar. Mr Khattak was made OSD on the condition that he would arrest the fugitive as soon as possible.

However, after receiving the marching orders from the Governor’s House, he spent four days in Peshawar and got himself reinstated, although the escaping incident demanded his suspension.