Sidhu Moose Wala murder: Lawrence Bishnoi's close aide escapes police custody

One of the main accused in the killing of Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala, Deepak Tinu, escaped from police custody in Mansa district.

Tinu, who is a close aide of Bishnoi, managed to ditch Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) officials when he was being brought to from Kapurthala Jail to Mansa on remand in a private vehicle Saturday night.

 "Tinu was being brought to Mansa's CIA staff office from Kapurthala Jail when he escaped from custody. The accused had to be probed in connection with the Moosewala murder case," Mansa police said.

M S Chinna, IG, Bhatinda, said the police had deployed teams to find the accused and that no police personnel will be spared if found involved in his escape.

On Sunday, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla slammed Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his government for alleged laxity in cracking down on criminals in the state."42 car convoy for proxy CM Bhagwant Mann, protection for VVIP netas of AAP but Bishnoi gang aide Deepak Tinu - who had a major role in Moosewala murder ESCAPES FROM PUNJAB POLICE CUSTODY! AAP is not ensuring crackdown on gangs but helping them! Do we need more proof?" Poonawalla tweeted.

Moosewala was shot dead on May 29 by unidentified assailants in Mansa district, a day after the Punjab Government curtailed his security cover. The Punjabi singer was shot at point-blank range and was declared brought dead on arrival at the Mansa civil hospital.

Moosewala had fought an election from Mansa in the last assembly election on a Congress ticket but was defeated by AAP's Vijay Singla.