GUJRANWALA, Sept 22: A division bench of the Lahore High Court ordered on Wednesday release of an SHO, who was arrested a month ago on the charge of helping three alleged dacoits escape Sabzi Mandi police custody.

The court declared Inspector Tariq Zafar innocent and his one-month detention illegal, directing that he should be posted at the police station from where he was arrested.

The SHO, along with eight other police officials, was arrested a month ago when three 'hardened criminals' Tanvir, Eish Muhammad and Shabbir Ahmad who were brought here from a Lahore jail for interrogation escaped after pouring chilies in the eyes of guards and injuring two constables.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Terrorism Court No 2 has rejected the bail plea of two co-accused Fayyaz Bibi and Fazeelat Bibi who, according to the prosecution, provided arms to the dacoits at the lock-up.

The two women were arrested and sent behind bars. However, the court released the car to its owner which was hired by the accused from Sheikhupura on the day of occurrence.