SRINAGAR, AUGUST 24: Two inmates lodged in separate cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act escaped from Srinagar’s Central Jail on Sunday after allegedly scaling the front-side wall of the high-security prison, officials said.
The escapees have been identified as Farman Khan, a resident of Sadanpora in Rajasthan, and Mukhtar Ahmed Gujar, a resident of Sanglan Chittergul in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Following the escape, police launched a massive manhunt to trace and apprehend the two men. A wanted notice has also been issued, with a reward announced for information leading to their arrest.
Officials said Khan had been lodged in the Central Jail since June 23 in connection with an FIR registered at Lar police station in Ganderbal district. He was booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act, relating to penetrative sexual assault.
Gujar, meanwhile, had been lodged in the jail since April 13. He was arrested in connection with a separate FIR registered at Soura police station in Srinagar and was booked under various BNS provisions along with Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act.
Police have appealed to the public to provide any information that could assist in locating the escapees.
“Any information that could help trace or apprehend the two men may be shared with the nearest police station or by dialling 112,” officials said.
Further details about how the inmates managed to scale the prison wall and escape from the high-security facility were awaited.
The circumstances surrounding the security breach are expected to be examined as the search operation continues.
