An under-trial prisoner, identified as Jual Sabar, managed to escape police custody on Sunday in Gajapati district, Odisha. The incident occurred when Sabar, who had been brought for a court hearing, was staying at a hotel with the police team responsible for escorting him from Maharashtra’s Nagpur.
Sabar was initially arrested by railway police in Nagpur in connection with narcotic drug smuggling. During the investigation, authorities also discovered his involvement in a rape case, adding to the charges against him. On Saturday, November 2, Sabar was brought to Gajapati for a scheduled court hearing. After the proceedings, he and the police team checked into a local hotel for the night.
Despite the police securing Sabar’s legs with chains to prevent any attempt at escape, he still managed to break free. According to reports, the police team was resting in an adjacent room when Sabar took advantage of the situation. CCTV footage from the hotel showed Sabar cautiously making his way out of the premises, even with his legs bound by chains. The footage captured him walking slowly, maneuvering himself to freedom while the police were unaware of his actions.
Following Sabar’s escape, the Gajapati Police have launched a search operation to locate him. Teams have been formed to track him down, and law enforcement in Nagpur has been informed about the incident to assist in the search. The authorities have also filed a fresh case against Sabar under Section 226 of the Indian Penal Code for escaping from lawful custody.
Speaking on the matter, a senior official of the Gajapati Police confirmed that efforts are underway to apprehend the escaped prisoner. The incident has raised questions regarding the negligence of the police team involved, as their lack of vigilance allowed a high-risk prisoner to escape despite the security measures taken. The police remain committed to locating Sabar and ensuring that such incidents do not recur in the future.