Aizawl: At least 16 convicts serving sentences at the district jail in Lunglei, Mizoram, were fraudulently released over four months using forged court documents, police confirmed on Thursday.
The alleged fraud began in January and remained undetected until last week, when officials at the Lunglei district and sessions court could not find judicial records authorising the release of certain inmates. A police complaint was filed on April 25.
According to Lunglei Superintendent of Police Jerome Lalmuankima, police launched a manhunt after the discrepancy surfaced. Thirteen of the released convicts have since been apprehended, while two remain absconding. One of the individuals died after being released.
Police suspect a wider conspiracy involving insiders and outside collaborators, citing the sophistication of the forged paperwork. Lunglei district jail deputy superintendent Lalruatsanga said the fake release orders carried fabricated seals and formatting that closely resembled authentic court directives. The documents appeared genuine and passed initial scrutiny. In prison administration, there is no scope to delay or question court orders, which made the deception particularly difficult to detect.
Preliminary findings have identified 22-year-old inmate Jeremiah Lalthangtura as the suspected mastermind. Police believe he ran the operation from inside the jail, exploiting procedural trust and coordinating with accomplices. In a statement, Mizoram Police said Jeremiah faces eight criminal cases, including cheque fraud, cheating, and online financial scams. He is being interrogated and placed under heightened surveillance.
Officials said the forged documents, including fabricated court judgments and seals, likely required help from outside the prison. Efforts are under way to trace and arrest external collaborators who may have helped generate and circulate these documents, Lalruatsanga said. Authorities are reviewing verification protocols for judicial communications as the investigation continues.
