Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday suspended former Choudwar jailor Santoshini Dash with immediate effect, amid allegations of dereliction of duty and grave misconduct.
The order was issued Director General (DG) of Prisons and Correctional Services Susanta Kumar Nath.
According to sources, Dash was transferred to Kantabanji sub-jail as jailor-cum-superintendent in October 2025, shortly after a high-profile security breach at Choudwar Circle Jail in Cuttack district. She, however, failed to join duty and cited health reasons to proceed on leave, leading to her suspension.
The official notification stated that a disciplinary proceeding is contemplated against Dash for serious lapses. During the suspension period, she has been directed to remain at the office of the Senior Superintendent, Sambalpur Circle Jail, which will serve as her headquarters. She is prohibited from leave the headquarters without prior permission from the competent authority.
On the intervening night of October 2-3, 2025, during Dussehra celebrations, two undertrial prisoners, both from Bihar, escaped from the high-security facility. The duo, accused in January 2025 jewellery shop robbery and double murder case in Jajpur district’s Panikoili area, reportedly cut through iron grills in their cells using tools, then scaled a 22-foot boundary wall with a makeshift rope fashioned from blankets, towels, shirts, and trousers.
The escape embarrassed prison authorities and prompted immediate action, including the suspension of two warders for negligence. Dash was also charged of dereliction of duty and transferred on administrative grounds on the basis of a departmental inquiry. The jailbreak case took a fresh turn with Dash filing a complaint in January this year, seeking registration of an FIR against prison senior superintendent Sujit Kumar Roul, whom she accused of forging her signature to deflect blame. Roul countered with allegations of Dash’s negligence, including claims that she allowed the inmates greater movement during festivities, contributing to the escape.
The Odisha prisons directorate issued notices to both officials for escalating the matter externally rather than through internal channels, and police investigations were launched into the counter-claims.
Meanwhile, one of the fugitives, Madhukant Kumar, was recaptured by Odisha Police in Vrindavan in mid-February, while the search for the second escapee continued.
