13-rearrested-after-forged-orders-free-convicts-from-mizoram-jail

Thirteen convicts have been rearrested after forged court orders were used to secure the illegal release of 16 inmates from Lunglei district jail in Mizoram over a four-month period, police said on Friday, with investigations pointing to an inmate as the alleged mastermind. 

 

The irregularity came to light when officials at the Lunglei District and Sessions Court were unable to locate records authorising the release of certain prisoners, raising suspicions about the authenticity of the documents used.

 

According to Lalruatsanga, deputy superintendent of Lunglei District Jail, the fraudulent activity began in January and continued undetected until last week, when discrepancies in documentation were noticed.

 

Following the discovery, the presiding judge filed a police complaint on April 25, prompting a large-scale operation to trace the released convicts.

 

“A massive search operation led to the rearrest of 13 convicts. Two others are still on the run, while one convict died after being released,” a senior police officer said.

 

Investigators said the forged release orders appeared highly convincing, featuring fabricated seals and formats closely resembling genuine court documents, which allowed the deception to go unnoticed for months.

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Police have identified 22-year-old inmate Jeremiah Lalthangtura as the suspected mastermind behind the operation.

 

“We suspect that Jeremiah ran the operation from inside the jail, exploiting procedural trust and coordinating with accomplices. He has a strong network inside the jail and managed the entire operation,” a police officer said.

 

Authorities said Lalthangtura is facing multiple criminal cases, including cheque fraud, cheating and online financial scams, and is currently under interrogation under strict monitoring.

 

Efforts are under way to identify and apprehend his accomplices outside the jail, who are believed to have played a role in executing the forged documentation and facilitating the releases.

 

The case has raised concerns over procedural lapses and document verification mechanisms within the prison and judicial system, with officials examining how forged orders could pass scrutiny.

 

Further investigation is ongoing to establish the full extent of the network and prevent similar breaches in future.