Name mix-up leads to release of rape accused from Faridabad jail

In a bizarre incident, on the basis of a release order from the district court, the district jail administration mistakenly released a POCSO accused prisoner instead of the prisoner charged with assault. This blunder occurred due to the similarity in their names.

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Following the wrongful release, a case has been registered against the prisoner for concealing his identity and securing his release, at Sadar Police Station, Faridabad. Inspector Umesh Kumar, SHO of Sadar Police Station, stated that police had launched a search for the prisoner and that he would be arrested soon.

According to the police, 27-year-old Nitesh Pandey was arrested in October 2021 for repeatedly raping a nine-year-old boy in Faridabad and his father’s name is Ravinder Pandey. The other individual is 24-year-old Nitesh, whose father is also named Ravinder. He was lodged in jail last Sunday in connection with a case of house trespass and assault. Both men were incarcerated at Neemka Jail in Faridabad, they added.

The second Nitesh, accused of assault, was granted bail on Monday by the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Faridabad. As per the procedure, he was to be released from jail on Tuesday. However, jail authorities mistakenly released Nitesh Pandey, the man accused under the POCSO Act.

The jail administration has now alleged that Nitesh Pandey secured his release by deliberately concealing his identity.

In this matter, Jail Superintendent Harendra Singh conducted an internal investigation and subsequently submitted a report to senior officials, highlighting negligence on the part of five jail staff members. Acting on his recommendations, the Director General of Prisons suspended all five employees on Friday. Those suspended include Assistant Superintendent Mohanlal, Deputy Superintendent Pradeep Tyagi, Head Constable Rajendra and wardens Sanjeev and Rajesh.

“We have lodged a complaint with the Sadar Police Station against Nitesh Pandey for obtaining his release by hiding his identity,” said Jail Deputy Superintendent Vikram Singh.