HYDERABAD: An accused in a cheating case, against whom a Look Out Circular (LOC) had been issued by Gujarat Police, escaped from the custody of immigration authorities at Hyderabad airport early Wednesday.The flyer, Dhaval Doshi, who was scheduled to travel to Bangkok with his wife and minor daughter when he was intercepted around 2 am and detained in the immigration area, later boarded a flight to Mumbai.Immigration authorities lodged a complaint with the airport police station when they realised he was missing. Airport police said a case had been registered against Doshi and his wife, Priyanka.A senior officer from Shamshabad police said Doshi’s advocate contacted airport police on Thursday evening and informed them that his client may soon surrender before Gujarat Police. If he fails to surrender, efforts to trace him will continue, the officer said.According to the complaint lodged by immigration officials, the system generated an LOC alert when Doshi approached the departure counter for clearance. They intercepted him and informed the SP of Gujarat’s Anand district, where the LOC had been issued. His passport and boarding pass were confiscated and the family was asked to remain seated near the immigration area.Around 4.30 am, while the immigration staff were occupied with other passengers, Priyanka approached airline staff at a departure counter. She claimed there was a medical emergency involving their daughter, and requested the retrieval of their checked-in baggage, but did not inform the airline staff that the family had been stopped by the immigration.Airline staff reportedly escorted all three members, along with their baggage, toward domestic departure. Doshi subsequently boarded a Mumbai-bound flight around 5.50 am, while immigration officials realised Priyanka and her daughter were attempting to board another Mumbai-bound flight scheduled to depart at 9.20 am.The complaint further alleged that Priyanka Doshi intentionally stayed back at the airport after facilitating her husband’s escape in order to assess the situation.RGI Airport SI K Rohit confirmed that a case had been registered against Dhaval Doshi and Priyanka Doshi under Section 253 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to harbouring an offender who has escaped from custody or whose apprehension has been ordered.Rohit said Priyanka Doshi has been issued a notice directing her to appear for questioning when summoned.
