In a major security lapse, authorities have suspended two wardens following a daring jailbreak from the Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan Central Jail in Hazaribag. The incident occurred on the intervening night of December 30 and 31, with three convicted criminals managing to escape the high-security facility.
The Midnight Escape: How It Happened
Jail officials, after reviewing CCTV footage, confirmed that the inmates made their escape by cutting through the iron grill of window number 4 in barrack number 6. The jailbreak was executed between 1:36 am and 2:45 am, a narrow window that strongly suggests the operation was meticulously pre-planned. An FIR has been lodged at the Lohsinghna police station by jail superintendent Chandrashekhar Prasad Suman against the escaped prisoners.
Speaking on the developments, Hazaribag SP Anjani Anjan stated, "The two wardens who were on duty have been suspended by the Inspector General of prisons. We have identified the lapses in the jail and efforts are on to plug the loopholes." He added that while jail security is managed by jail officials, local police are providing all necessary support.
Massive Manhunt and Expanding Probe
Under the directions of SP Anjan, five special teams have been deployed to track down the fugitives. Raids are being conducted extensively, not just in Hazaribag but also in Dhanbad, Ranchi, and suspected hideouts in Bihar. Officials hinted that the axe might fall on more personnel as the internal probe progresses. The role of 28 JAP jawans who were on vigil duty is also under scrutiny.
A high-level investigation is underway, with a special task force constituted to look into the incident. A forensic team is examining technical evidence to piece together the escape route and identify any accomplices.
Profile of the Escaped Convicts
According to SDPO Amit Kumar Anand, all three escaped convicts hail from the Basopur area of Dhanbad. Sources revealed that all were convicted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
One of the fugitives, identified as Deva Bhuiyan, is believed to be the mastermind behind the escape plot. An official disclosed that Bhuiyan has a history of jailbreaks, having previously escaped from Dhanbad jail in 2021. He remained underground for three and a half years, hiding in Hazaribag. More than a dozen cases are pending against him in various police stations across Dhanbad. His prior incarceration in the Hazaribag central jail is thought to have given him crucial knowledge of the facility's layout and potential escape routes.
As of now, authorities have yet to find any concrete clues about the current whereabouts of the escaped convicts. The search operation continues across state lines, highlighting a serious breach in prison security and raising questions about systemic vulnerabilities.
