Overview
- Two inmates charged under the POCSO Act escaped from Srinagar Central Jail on Sunday by scaling the front-side wall and remain at large, prompting an immediate search by Jammu and Kashmir police.
- Officials identified the fugitives as Mukhtar Ahmed Gujar of Sanglan Chittergul, Anantnag, and Farman Khan of Sadanpora, Rajasthan, who were lodged in the jail in April and June respectively in separate POCSO cases.
- Both men were booked under sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act, which refer to penetrative sexual assault, alongside various BNS sections cited in their FIRs.
- Police have issued wanted notices, announced a reward for information leading to arrest, and asked the public to report tips to the nearest station or by dialling 112 as investigations continue.
- Authorities have not yet released firm details on how the prisoners breached the front wall, and the escape is likely to prompt procedural reviews of jail security and closer coordination between prison and local police forces.