Chitrakoot jail shootout: Warder under scanner

LUCKNOW : The role of a jail warder is under the scanner in connection with the Chitrakoot jail shootout on May 14, after he was spotted in the CCTV footages of the premises despite being on leave, said police officials. The suspected warder was on leave since May 6 after citing symptoms of Covid-19 infection, but was seen entering the jail on May 13 night.

The role of a jail warder is under the scanner in the Chitrakoot jail shootout case on May 14, after he was spotted in CCTV footages of the premises despite being on leave, said police.

His role was also suspicious when gangster Munna Bajrangi was gunned down by another gangster Sunil Rathi in Baghpat jail on July 9, 2018, said officials. They said the warder was posted at Baghpat jail at the time of Bajrangi’s murder and was later transferred to the Chitrakoot jail on administrative grounds.

The suspected warder was on leave since May 6 citing symptoms of Covid, but was seen entering the jail on May 13 night. CCTV footage of the entrance gate showed the warder entering jail at 9.20pm and leaving the premises around 9.46pm, said a senior police official.

“It was found that the warder told the staff at the entrance gate that he wanted to meet the doctor at the jail hospital regarding his illness. But, the warder did not meet the doctor and returned after spending some time in jail,” he said, adding,

“The warder was also spotted walking in the gallery heading towards the barrack where shooter Anshu Dixit was lodged along with Meraj Ahmad.”

Dixit had gunned down Meraj Ahmad and another gangster Mukeem alias Kala lodged in another barrack on May 14. Dixit was also killed in the firing by police personnel when he held five other prisoners hostage.

The official said the warder was also spotted in the jail when Anshu Dixit fired at Meraj Ahmad.