Bhubaneswar, 4 October (H.S.) Commissionerate Police on saturday declared two dreaded Bihar criminals, who escaped from Cuttack’s high-security Choudwar Circle Jail, as ‘most wanted’ and announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to their arrest.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Cuttack, released the photographs of the fugitives and appealed to the public for cooperation. “Citizens are requested to provide information on the whereabouts of the accused. Reward: Cash of Rs 50,000 for any information leading to their arrest. Informer’s identity will remain confidential,” the DCP stated in a post on X.
The escapees, identified as Madhukant Kumar and Raja Sahani, reportedly exploited the Durga Puja celebrations inside the prison late Thursday night to scale the boundary wall and flee in a daring, film-style breakout.
Both had been lodged in Choudwar Jail after their arrest in connection with the sensational jewellery shop heist at Panikoili in Jajpur on January 4, during which they opened fire, killing two people.
Following the incident, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Susanta Kumar Nath, visited the jail to review the circumstances that enabled the jailbreak. Preliminary reports suggest that the prisoners took advantage of reduced vigilance as staff and inmates were engaged in festive activities on Dussehra night.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
