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Afghanistan/South Asia
Bandit Queen's suspected murderer flees jail
2004-02-17
EFL
Phoolan Devi was one of India's most famous outlaws
The prime suspect in the murder of Indian bandit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi has escaped from jail. Sher Singh Rana, arrested after Devi was killed two years ago, was due in court on Tuesday but went missing from Delhi's high security Tihar prison. Men posing as policemen helped him in the daring escape.
This is right out of a Hogan's Hero script. Bob Crane should sue. ... Never mind.
I'd call it more out of a really bad novel. Phoolan Devi was no doubt betrayed by the ruthless von Schtinken after she helped him swipe the Eye of Patou right out of the idol's forehead in the dead of night. After being chased by indignant, spear-flinging natives, he dumped her as soon as he got the Eye away from her. She swore to avenge herself and attracted a following of minions willing to carry out her every command. She was as renowned for her beauty as for her mercilessness. You can prob'ly guess the rest...
Devi became one of India's best-known political figures after giving up years of crime, and starring in a film of her life which was shown worldwide. She was shot dead at the age of 38 in front of her official residence in Delhi in July 2001. Police say Sher Singh Rana confessed to the murder. They have offered a reward of 50,000 rupees (about $1,100) for information leading to his arrest. He is one of 11 people charged with the murder. Rana's absence was noticed at morning roll call. We got a shock when another police party turned up at the gates of Tihar with a warrant to take Rana away Jail officials in the Indian capital were expecting police from Uttaranchal state to take him away for a court appearance. Instead, a bogus police escort turned up and spirited him away. "It is an unlikely and unbelievable incredible jail break. At 7 am, we handed Rana over to a policeman from Uttaranchal as he showed us a warrant saying he had come to collect Rana to produce him before the court," a jail warden told AFP news agency. "There were other 'policemen' waiting near a police van. We did not suspect a thing.
They had badges so we thought they were policemen.
"Later we got a shock when another police party turned up at the gates of Tihar with a warrant to take Rana away."
Boy did we have red faces.
Phoolan Devi was part of India's bandit folklore. A member of the lower castes, she rose to notoriety in 1981 when she had 22 upper caste men massacred on Valentine's Day to avenge her gang rape.
Now thats a Candygram.
She surrendered to the authorities in 1983 and served a prison sentence until February 1994. Two years later she became a member of the Indian lower house of parliament. She lost her seat in 1998, but made a comeback the following year. Her life was immortalised in the film Bandit Queen by Indian director Shekhar Kapur.
How did NBC miss out on that story? It has mini-series written all over it. I'd even spend extra to film the multiple homicide in Matrix-vision.
Posted by:Super Hose

#2  I still have paranoia attacks entering a dark pool or lake at night. I wish I had at least pitched an alarm clock down his gaping toothy pie hole. Then I could keep beter track of him. As I lean over the edge of a dock at night, I am always hopeful that he will just plant a slobbery kiss on my cheek.
Posted by: Super Hose   2004-2-17 8:41:15 PM  

#1  Shamu's gonna get your ass one day SH ;>
Posted by: Shipman   2004-2-17 6:32:41 PM  

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