According to authorities, both prisoners, identified as Sobhaban Rana (28) and Sumit Bihari (23), were undertrial inmates at the Titilagarh jail located in Balangir district, Odisha. The incident, which transpired on Sunday, saw the escape of the aforementioned individuals from the confines of the prison. Allegedly, the duo fled by circumventing the boundary wall of the jail premises at approximately 8 pm on Saturday evening.
Sobhaban Rana, who stands accused in a murder case associated with a human sacrifice event in Sindhekela, has been incarcerated for a duration spanning four years. Similarly, Sumit Bihari, an inmate at the Titilagarh Sub-Jail for the past two years, faced charges of another murder case.
In response to the escape, law enforcement agencies have mobilized special teams and commenced search operations to locate the fugitives. Additionally, jail authorities have initiated an internal investigation to ascertain the circumstances leading to the escape and to identify any potential security breaches.
Chaitanya Pradhan, the Sub-Assistant Jailer at Titlagarh prison, expressed suspicion that external assistance might have facilitated the escape of the two prisoners. He recounted that during the incident, while he and others were in the office, Rana and Bihari sought permission to utilize the washroom, seizing the opportunity to abscond. Pradhan surmised that someone may have aided them in their escape from confinement.
