Concerns Surge as 44 Inmates Escape from Odisha Jails Over Five Years
Synopsis
The escape of 44 prisoners from Odisha jails over five years raises urgent questions about prison security and oversight. As the state grapples with these alarming figures, the recapture rate highlights ongoing efforts to rectify security lapses.
Key Takeaways
44 prisoners have escaped from Odisha jails in five years.
Authorities are facing scrutiny over prison security .
27 out of 44 escapees have been recaptured.
Officials have been suspended for security lapses.
Two notorious criminals were involved in a robbery-murder case.
Bhubaneswar, March 9 (NationPress) A total of 44 inmates have managed to flee from various correctional facilities in Odisha over the past five years, prompting significant scrutiny regarding prison safety, surveillance systems, and the overall effectiveness of the measures implemented by the authorities.
This alarming statistic was disclosed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also oversees the Home Department, during a response to a question posed by Congress MLA Sofia Firdous in the state Assembly on Monday.
“In the past five years, we have recorded the escape of 44 prisoners, which includes 33 Under-Trial Prisoners (UTPs) and 11 convicts,” CM Majhi stated.
According to the data presented in the Assembly, the breakdown of escapes includes 12 prisoners each in 2022 and 2024, nine in 2021, five in 2023, and six in 2025.
CM Majhi further emphasized that out of the 44 inmates who escaped in this timeframe, 27 have been recaptured by the Odisha Police.
However, 17 fugitives remain at large.
Moreover, the Chief Minister informed the House that several jail personnel have been suspended and departmental actions are underway against various officials due to the significant lapses in jail security and monitoring that led to these escapes.
The Odisha Prisons Directorate faced harsh criticism following the escape of three UTPs from different facilities in October 2025.
The escapees included two notorious criminals from Bihar: Madhukant Kumar alias Rana and Raja Sahani alias Subham, who were implicated in the murder of two individuals during a robbery attempt at a jewelry store in Jajpur district last January.
This criminal pair successfully fled from Choudwar Circle Jail in Cuttack on October 2, 2025.
Recently, the Odisha Police apprehended Madhukant at his hideout in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, in a collaborative operation with the Bihar Special Task Force and Mathura police in February 2026.
Another accomplice of Madhukant is still on the run.
Point of View
It is imperative to recognize the serious implications of the escape of 44 prisoners from Odisha's jails. This incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and accountability among prison officials, reflecting broader systemic issues within the correctional system. The community deserves transparency and effective solutions to ensure public safety.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many prisoners escaped from Odisha jails?
A total of 44 prisoners escaped from various jails in Odisha over the last five years.
What were the consequences for jail officials?
Several jail officials were suspended, and departmental actions were initiated against those responsible for security lapses.
How many of the escaped prisoners have been recaptured?
Out of the 44 escaped prisoners, 27 have been recaptured by the Odisha Police.
What types of inmates escaped?
The escaped inmates included 33 Under-Trial Prisoners (UTPs) and 11 convicts.
What was the public reaction to these escapes?
The escapes have raised serious concerns about prison security and monitoring systems among the public and officials alike.
