Cuttack: After two undertrial prisoners escaped from Choudwar Jail in Odisha’s Cuttack, serious security lapses were detected during a thorough probe in the prison complex.
Sources said a search of the inmates’ cell led to the recovery of a mobile phone, charger, and power bank concealed inside the toilet. It was also found that the CCTV camera facing the cell had been turned away, indicating clear signs of premeditated planning.
As per information, one of the prisoners had earlier informed authorities about the presence of suspicious items in the cell. However, despite this warning, routine cell inspections mandated under the jail manual were allegedly ignored. The cell, where both inmates were lodged, had not been searched for over three months.
Sources said that the two escapees, Raja Sahani and Chandrakant Kumar, both hailing from Bihar, cut through the iron bars of their cells and scaled the boundary wall using blankets as a makeshift rope. Though they were lodged in separate cells, the two reportedly coordinated their escape while the warders on duty were absent from their posts.
Two jail warders have been suspended for dereliction of duty following the incident. A departmental inquiry has been initiated to identify further lapses.
