Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 22: In a sensational incident, a murder accused and under-trial prisoner escaped from District Jail Kathua this morning dodging high profile security of the prison, where some dreaded criminals had been lodged.
Sohan Singh alias Akri, 26, son of Joginder Singh, a resident of village Palekh in Basohli tehsil of Kathua district was facing murder charges since 2008 and had been lodged in the District Jail, Kathua as an under-trial from where he slipped away this morning when the prisoners and staff were busy in purchasing vegetables, milk and cleaning the premises.
Additional Director General of Prisons, Naveen Aggarwal told the Excelsior after visiting the spot that three officials of the District Jail including an Assistant Superintendent have been placed under suspension while a departmental inquiry has been ordered into escape of the prisoner, which has been assigned to Rajni Sehgal, Superintendent, Kot Bhalwal jail.
Mr Aggarwal said all naka teams along the National Highway of Jammu-Pathankot and other major roads across the State have been alerted to capture the fleeing prisoner. Police parties were conducting searches at various places for the absconder. He added that contacts of the prisoner were being quizzed in the jail to ascertain the areas where the absconder could take shelter.
Official sources said Sohan Singh alias Akri along with other prisoners were brought out of the barracks this morning. While some of the prisoners and staff were busy in cleaning the premises, Akri was reportedly milking a cow in the official quarter of jailer, Bahadur Singh Rathore.
As Akri was alone, he got an opportunity and jumped out of the window of the quarter. He scaled a tree near the quarter, jumped out of the jail and fled away, sources said, adding the escape of the prisoner was detected after he was not found in the jail for next half an hour. Some of the prisoners and the staff members sounded the authorities, who swung into action and informed police.
Kathua police and jail authorities immediately launched a search operation for the prisoner but he remained untraced when the reports last came in tonight.
The ADGP Prisons said three officials of the District Jail have been placed under suspension for negligence on duty leading to escape of the under-trial. He identified them as Surinder Kumar, Assistant Superintendent, Ganesh Dass and Surinder Singh, both Selection Grade Warders.
Mr Aggarwal said a high level departmental inquiry has been ordered into escape of the murder accused. Rajni Sehgal, Superintendent, Kot Bhalwal Jail, would hold the inquiry and submit the report within minimum possible time.
He added that action could be taken against some more staff of the jail if their negligence was found in escape of the under-trial.
Meanwhile, police have registered a fresh FIR No. 320 under Section 224 RPC at Kathua police station against the under-trial for his escape from the jail. Senior police officials of district Kathua visited the jail to quiz colleagues of Akri in the barrack.
Akri had allegedly committed the murder of Neeraj Kumar alias Nirju son of Mulkh Raj R/o Pillasi on June 23, 2008. He was arrested about six days after the murder and after 15 days police remand was lodged in District Jail Kathua in July 2008. He was in the jail for last about four years now.
Akri was facing charges of murder under Section 302 and 201/34 RPC in FIR No. 58/2008 at Basohli police station.
Mr Aggarwal said a three-tier security apparatus was being put in place at District Jail, Kathua and instructions have also been passed on to authorities in all other jails to ensure fool-proof security arrangements to ensure that incidents like escape of Akri were not repeated anywhere.
“Directions have been issued for additional security arrangements in all the jails to avert such incidents in future’’, he said.
To a question on work being taken from under-trials, which was reportedly prohibited, Mr Aggarwal said the Jail Superintendents have been asked to follow guidelines as per the jail manual.
Top separatist Masrat Alam had only recently been shifted to District Jail Udhampur from Kathua while Nagar Singh’s son, Jatinder Singh alias Raja was still lodged in Kathua jail along with his uncle Rakesh Singh. Raja was facing murder charges.
Meanwhile, police have flashed photographs of Akri at all Railway Stations and Bus Stands as they anticipated that he would try to catch a bus or a train to leave the State. Police was also maintaining a vigil in his native town of Basohli as he could try to call his family members.
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