Aizawl: Mizoram Police on Sunday disclosed the modus operandi behind the issuance of fake court orders at south Mizoram's Lunglei district jail. The scheme involved an undertrial prisoner and an ambulance driver attached to the facility, who together forged judicial documents from inside the prison to secure the release of 17 convicts.
Arrests and Remand
The duo was arrested on May 1 and subsequently remanded to police custody on Thursday. According to a statement issued by Mizoram Police, investigators have identified Aizawl's Jeremia Lalthangtura (25), the inmate, as the alleged mastermind. He colluded with C Laltlanhlua (31), the ambulance driver, to prepare the forged documents.
Modus Operandi
Jeremia allegedly cheated his fellow inmates by claiming that he would arrange appeals for them through lawyers known to him and facilitate their release. He reportedly demanded sums ranging from Rs 4,000 to Rs 50,000 from each inmate. According to investigators, a total of Rs 1.35 lakh was collected by duping the convicts.
While the money has been partially recovered, the convicts either handed over their money directly to Laltlanhlua or transferred it to his bank account using his phone. Jeremia also regularly used the driver's cellphone and banking facilities from inside the jail premises, the release stated.
Forgery Process
Police said the forged documents were prepared at two locations: a computer and photocopy shop at Rahsi Veng and the office computer of the jail. According to investigators, while Laltlanhlua procured the office keys and stood guard, Jeremia accessed the computer to create fabricated court orders, discharge bonds, and other judicial documents. The fake papers were then allegedly submitted to jail authorities as genuine court directives. The computer and printer allegedly used for the crime have been seized and sent to the forensic laboratory for examination.
Discovery of Scam
The scandal, which rocked the state's legal circles, first surfaced after the judge of the district and sessions court noticed discrepancies in documents produced by two prisoners on April 24. These prisoners carried release orders allegedly issued by the district and sessions court and the Gauhati High Court. The documents immediately raised suspicion as the two prisoners had appeared before the same court the previous day, while their next hearing had been fixed on May 8.
Impact and Rearrests
Seventeen convicts, including those convicted under POCSO, NDPS, and theft-related cases, had secured their release between January 30 and March 18. After a search operation by police, 13 of them were traced, leading to the rearrest of 11.
About the Author
HC Vanlalruata, based at Aizawl, Mizoram, is known for his sharp, on-the-ground reporting as a regional 'stinger.' He covers breaking news, ethnic affairs, and border issues from Mizoram, providing real-time updates and local insights for the national daily's northeast bureau.
