In a major security breach, two men convicted in a murder case managed to flee from the premises of the Pakur district court in Jharkhand on Wednesday. The incident has triggered a statewide manhunt and raised serious questions about the security protocols at judicial complexes.
The Dramatic Escape Post-Verdict
The fugitives have been identified as Shivdhan Mohli and Naren Mohli. They had just been convicted, along with two other accused, by additional district and sessions judge–I Kumar Kranti Prasad in an eight-year-old murder case. The dramatic escape occurred as security personnel failed to restrain the duo while they were being escorted out of the courtroom following the pronouncement of the verdict.
Background of the Crime and Ongoing Investigation
The duo was convicted for the murder of Bholanath Mohli in January 2017, a crime that stemmed from a longstanding land dispute. Confirming the incident, Pakur superintendent of police Nidhi Dwivedi stated that intensive search operations have been launched across all possible hideouts to recapture the convicts.
"We are investigating the security lapse, and strict action will be taken against those responsible," SP Dwivedi asserted. The police are scrutinizing the sequence of events that allowed the convicted individuals to break free from custody in a supposedly secure environment.
Repercussions and Calls for Accountability
This brazen escape has sent shockwaves through the local administration and judiciary, highlighting critical vulnerabilities in prisoner handling during court proceedings. It underscores the urgent need for a thorough review of security arrangements, especially when dealing with convicted individuals who have a strong motive to evade incarceration. The incident puts the spotlight on the coordination between police and court security staff, with authorities now under pressure to ensure such a lapse does not recur.
The two other accused convicted in the same case remain in custody. The investigation into the escape is proceeding on a war footing, even as teams scour the region for Shivdhan and Naren Mohli.
