In a major security lapse, an undertrial prisoner facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act escaped from the Serampore Sub-Correctional Facility in Hooghly, slipping past CCTV surveillance and guards without leaving a trace.
The escape came to light on Sunday during the routine cell inspection. According to the daily log maintained by the correctional staff, the prisoner had been present during the final count on Saturday night. However, when guards conducted the morning round, his cell was found empty. Immediate searches within the facility yielded no clues.
The incident was promptly reported to the warden, who informed the Serampore Commissionerate and the district administration.
Serampore Sub-Divisional Officer Shambhudeep Sarkar confirmed that a detailed report has been sought from the jail superintendent. “A complaint has been asked to be filed with the Serampore police station. The authorities learned this morning that the accused had escaped, and police are currently searching for him,” he said.
Chandannagar Police Commissionerate’s DCP (Serampore), Arnab Biswas, stated that the correctional authorities have lodged a written complaint. “An investigation has begun. The accused, involved in a POCSO case filed at the Rishra police station and under trial at the Serampore court, was lodged in the sub-correctional facility. If required, a lookout notice will be issued,” he added.
Sources reveal that the absconding prisoner has multiple previous complaints registered against him at the Rishra and Magra police stations.
The escape has triggered criticism regarding the security measures at the Serampore Sub-Correctional Facility. Questions are being raised about how an undertrial inmate managed to breach a supposedly tight security perimeter and evade detection by both CCTV cameras and guards.
Police have begun scrutinising CCTV footage and conducting extensive searches across various locations to trace the prisoner’s movements after he left the cell.
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