Second jailbreak in two months rocks Ambala Central Jail

An undertrial lodged in Ambala Central Jail managed to escape on Saturday afternoon, reportedly by scaling an 18-foot electricity pole and using overhead power cables to jump outside. This is the second such incident in the jail within two months, raising serious concerns over security.

The undertrial, identified as Ajay Kumar, a resident of Bihar, had been arrested by Panchkula police in connection with a POCSO case registered in March last year. He was assigned work at the jail factory, but around 3 pm, during the routine inmate count, he was found missing.

A jail official said CCTV footage revealed Ajay climbed a small wall near the factory, then scaled the electricity pole and used cables to slip out. A power outage inside the jail since morning reportedly helped him execute the plan.

Ambala Jail Superintendent Satvinder Godara confirmed the escape. “During the counting of inmates, one person was found missing. A case has been registered at Baldev Nagar police station and efforts are being made to search him. Taking action for the lapse, while two jail officials have been suspended, recommendation for chargesheet has also been made against a couple of officials,” he said.

This is the second jailbreak in recent weeks. In August, another undertrial, Sukhbir of Uttar Pradesh, escaped under mysterious circumstances a day after being lodged there. Authorities suspected he hid under a gas delivery van to sneak out. He remains untraced.

Ambala SP Ajit Singh Shekhawat said, “Three teams, including CIA and Baldev Nagar police, are working on this case and all efforts are being made to nab the undertrial. The one who escaped last month is also yet to be arrested.”