Banda Jail Superintendent Suspended Over Unauthorized Release of Gangster Ravi Kana
In a significant development highlighting administrative lapses in the prison system, Banda jail superintendent Vikram Singh Yadav was suspended on Saturday for alleged negligence of duty. This action came just one day after a Noida Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court issued a show-cause notice to him concerning the unauthorized release of undertrial gangster Ravi Kana.
Court Proceedings Trigger Suspension
The suspension followed serious proceedings before the GB Nagar CJM court, which took strong note of Kana's release from Banda district jail on January 29. CJM Sanjeev Kumar Tripathi had on Friday sought Yadav's explanation on why the court should not direct the registration of an FIR against him for allowing a prisoner to escape from custody.
According to officials, the court had been informed that Kana was released despite remand proceedings being conducted via video conference in connection with a case registered in Noida. The CJM court had issued a B-warrant against Kana, directing that he be produced before it in a case registered at Sector 63 police station in Noida.
Details of the Unauthorized Release
Ravi Kana, who was lodged in a GB Nagar jail in connection with multiple cases, had been transferred to Banda district jail in August 2024 for administrative reasons. On Thursday, he was produced before the Noida court through a video link from Banda jail. Later that same evening, he was released from custody, despite the B-warrant being actively in force.
In its order issued on January 30, the Directorate General of Prison Administration and Correctional Services stated that Vikram Singh Yadav, as the jailer of Banda district jail, was responsible for releasing the undertrial prisoner even after receiving information about the pending B-warrant in the Noida case.
Departmental Action and Police Manhunt
The order declared that the jailer was prima facie guilty of dereliction of duty and that departmental proceedings under Rule 7 of the Uttar Pradesh Government Servant (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1999 were being contemplated. Yadav was placed under suspension with immediate effect and attached to the Dr Sampurnanand Jail Training Institute.
Meanwhile, police have launched an extensive manhunt for Kana, described as a scrap tycoon accused of building an empire through coercion and intimidation. Five specialized teams have been formed to trace him, according to police officials.
"Two teams are currently in Banda district tracking his movement after he was released," a senior officer revealed. "His mobile phone is switched off, so we are relying on CCTV footage and road surveillance. The remaining teams are coordinating with other agencies, as there is a possibility that he may try to flee towards Nepal."
Background of Gangster Ravi Kana
Ravi Kana stands accused of amassing substantial wealth by coercing industrial units into awarding him scrap and rebar contracts across the National Capital Region. He was booked under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act in 2024.
His criminal history dates back to 2013 when he was first booked in Ghaziabad's Vijay Nagar area in a dacoity case. Over the subsequent years, at least eight more cases were registered against him on charges including:
- Extortion
- Wrongful confinement
- Cheating
- Assault
- Dacoity
- Harboring an offender who escaped from police custody
In late 2023, two particularly serious cases were registered against Kana in connection with the alleged gang rape of a woman at the surface parking lot of the Gardens Galleria mall in Noida.
Previous Arrest and Deportation
The Gangsters Act case against him was registered in January 2024 at Beta 2 police station. His wife, Madhu, and fourteen others, including close associate Kajal Jha, were named as co-accused in this case.
Kana had allegedly fled to Thailand on January 1, 2024, after a non-bailable arrest warrant was registered against him. He was subsequently deported from Bangkok in April of that year along with Jha and arrested upon landing at IGIC airport.
The current situation raises serious questions about prison administration protocols and the monitoring of high-profile undertrial prisoners. The suspension of the jail superintendent represents a significant administrative action, while the ongoing manhunt for Kana continues to be a priority for law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions.
