Athani: Three undertrials lodged in Athani Sub-Jail escaped by removing stones of the wall in the toilet on early Friday morning. The prisoners were lodged for crimes like burglary, dacoit, rail robbery and have been identified as Kadaiah Shivalingappa Pujari (24) of Bastwad village in Hukkeri taluk, Revappa Yamanappa Kulgod (24) of Mugalkhod village in Raibag taluk and Yesuratna Chinnanayar (25) of Uppalwad in AP.

Jail staff suspected that the prisoners might have worked for two-three days to remove the stones.

Pujari and Kulgod are facing about 40 cases while Chinnanayar has a few rail robbery cases. They were lodged in the prison for three months.

It may be recalled that, ten years ago, four undertrials from the same prison had escaped and are absconding.

As the jail was about 150-years-old, a team of the officials which visited the jail a few years ago had recommended the prison ministry to shift as the building was not safe to house the prisoners.

The Revenue Department, four years ago, had sanctioned 10 acres to construct the jail in Athani taluk.A case has been filed with the Athani police. – EB