Two prisoners escape from Odisha jail while staff, inmates were celebrating Dussehra
Cuttack (PTI): Two undertrial prisoners escaped from the high-security Choudwar circle jail in Odisha’s Cuttack district by scaling the boundary wall while the staff and other inmates were celebrating the Dussehra festival, officials said on Friday.
Two employees of the prison were suspended for dereliction of duty.
The police announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the two escapees - Raja Sahani and Madhukanta Kumar, both residents of Bihar.
They were arrested in January on the charge of murdering two persons and looting a jewellery shop in Jajpur district.
Director General (Prisons and Correctional Services) Susanta Kumar Nath visited the jail and reviewed the circumstances under which the inmates escaped when staff and prisoners were celebrating Dussehra on Thursday night.
"On charge of negligence in duty, I have suspended a chief warder and a warder of the jail, and a case has been registered at Choudwar police station. DIG central range has been entrusted with the investigation," Nath told reporters.
Nath said a probe will be conducted to determine whether the escapees had the support of jail staff or from outside.
During the inspection, Nath found that the iron rods of the prisoners’ cells had been cut before they scaled the boundary wall.
"They used a blanket as a rope to climb the wall," a staff said, adding that it was suspected that the duo could manage to escape when the cultural programs were going on in the Choudwar Jail premises on Thursday night for Dussehra.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Cuttack released the photographs of the prisoners on the run and also announced a reward for their arrest.
“Citizens are requested to provide information on the whereabouts of the accused. Reward: Cash of Rs 50,000 for any information leading to their arrest. Informer's identity will remain confidential,” the officer said in an X post.
A search operation has been on to arrest the prisoners.
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
