Chandigarh, April 8 -- In a major embarrassment for Punjab cops, a Batala-born international drug lord, wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the US, has managed to flee India under mysterious circumstances, triggering allegations of police collusion in his "escape".

According to people in know of the matter, Shehnaz Singh, alias Shawn Bhinder, arrested in March last year from Ludhiana by Punjab Police during Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign, secured bail from the high court nearly two months ago. Subsequently, he applied to have his passport suspension revoked.

"The inquiry regarding revocation of suspension of the passport was forwarded to the CIA in charge in Tarn Taran where an Arms Act case was registered against Bhind...