In a shocking incident, an accused in an attempted murder case escaped from the Sessions Court after attacking a police constable and fleeing while still in handcuffs. The accused has been identified as 42-year-old Harison Anthony Joseph. A special search operation has been launched by local police and the Crime Branch to trace and arrest him.
According to police, a case has also been registered against Harison Joseph at Colaba Police Station for escaping from lawful custody. The daring escape, which took place on Tuesday afternoon inside the Sessions Court premises, created panic among police personnel present at the spot.
Harison Joseph, a resident of Musafirkhana area near Crawford Market, is a history-sheeter with multiple criminal cases registered against him. In March 2024, he, along with two accomplices, had allegedly opened fire using an air gun at a bag vendor, Raju Sheikh, following a minor dispute. Sheikh was seriously injured in the incident. Police had registered a case of attempt to murder, abuse, and criminal intimidation against the trio. While two accused were arrested earlier, Harison had absconded and was later apprehended by police in January 2025. Subsequently, action was also initiated against the accused under the stringent MCOCA provisions.
At the time of the incident, Harison was lodged in Arthur Road Jail under judicial custody. On Tuesday, he and other accused were produced before a special Sessions Court for further hearing. After his hearing in Court Room No. 10 concluded, police constable Prashant Shrimant Kamble was escorting him back to the lock-up as hearings for other accused were still pending.
While descending from the third floor to the second floor, Harison suddenly attacked constable Kamble by striking his hand forcefully and managed to escape from the court premises while still in handcuffs. Police immediately launched a search within the premises, but he could not be traced.
Following confirmation of his escape, Colaba Police registered a case based on constable Kamble’s complaint. Senior officials have taken serious note of the incident and directed both local police and Crime Branch to conduct a parallel investigation to nab the accused.
Police suspect that Harison, a native of Kerala, may attempt to flee to his hometown. Accordingly, special teams have been deployed at major railway stations including CSMT, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, and Kurla to prevent his escape.