Undertrial impersonates as visitor, escapes from Moradabad prison

BAREILLY: An undertrial at Moradabad district prison impersonated as a visitor and escaped through the main gate in the presence guards.

The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, but jail officials came to know about it late in the evening when the inmate count was reported short.

A police complaint was lodged at 2 am on Wednesday after the prison official informed the district police about the escape.

“The inmate, Mohit Kumar 35, was an undertrial and managed to escape from the outer gate. He is a resident of Chandauli district. We have informed the district police about the escape and they are coordinating a search operation,” said SHM Rizvi, senior superintendent of Moradabad district prison.

Mohit was reportedly accused of a murder attempt in 2004. He was out on bail and arrested again on June 28 this year, after he failed to appear for court hearings. Prison officials described Mohit as “smart and influential.”

“In a short time, he made friends with many inmates and probably with some staff also. It is too early to say anything, but we are also suspecting the role of our staff in the escape,” said the officer.

The officer suspended two prison guards who were posted at the gate when Mohit escaped.

“Mohit got in the group of jail visitors and left the prison with them. The guards failed to identify him,” said Rizvi.

This happened even after every visitor is stamped on his hand with ink, which is rechecked when he leaves the prison.

Jail sources also confirmed that nobody came to meet Mohit on Tuesday, and as per jail manual, he must not have been present in visitors’ areas.

MEANWHILE, THE POLICE SENT THREE TEAMS TO NEARBY DISTRICTS IN SEARCH OF INMATE MOHIT KUMAR.