Korba: Three undertrial prisoners escaped from police custody from a court in Jashpur district of Chattisgarh when they were being brought back after a hearing, police said on Thursday.

However, one of the prisoners was caught after a chase, they said.

The incident took place last evening when three persons accused of murder and extortion — Pratap Ram, Arvind Kumar and Naveen Minj — managed to give policemen a slip when they were escorted the prisoners back to Jashpur jail from Kunkuri court in a mini-bus, Jashpur Additional Superintendent of Police Neha Pandey said.

The trio allegedly broke the rear glass of the bus with their hands and jumped out of the vehicle at Lori Ghati area under Duldula police, Pandey said.

As soon as the undertrials jumped out, a constable too followed them. After a short chase one of the accused, Naveen, was re-arrested, she said.

The constable suffered minor injuries while jumping off the bus and has been admitted to Jashpur district hospital, she said.

A case has been registered in this connection and all the police stations in the region have been informed about the escape. A manhunt has been launched to nab the accused.