Three inmates go missing from Jharkhand’s Hazaribag Central Jail, security under scanner

Three inmates have gone missing from the Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan Central Jail in Jharkhand, triggering concern within the state administration over security arrangements at the high-security prison.

Confirming the incident, Jail Superintendent Chandrashekhar Suman said preliminary information suggests that all three inmates are residents of Dhanbad. However, he added that details regarding their identities and whether they were convicts or undertrials are yet to be ascertained.

Advertisement

The incident has raised fresh questions about prison security, as the Hazaribag Central Jail is known for housing hardened criminals, Naxalites, and several high-profile undertrial prisoners. The jail is considered one of the most secure facilities in the state.

In recent weeks, security at the jail had been further tightened. The Inspector General of Prisons had suspended 12 security personnel to strengthen vigilance, following which security protocols were reportedly reinforced. Despite these measures, the disappearance of three inmates has put the jail administration under renewed scrutiny.

The prison is protected by a five-layer security system, requiring thorough checks for anyone entering or exiting the premises. The jail also holds historical significance, as veteran freedom fighter Jayaprakash Narayan had famously escaped from the same prison during the freedom movement.

An inquiry has been initiated to determine how the inmates went missing and whether there was any lapse in security.