Two POCSO accused who fled Srinagar Central Jail arrested in Rajasthan
Synopsis
Two men held on POCSO charges scaled the wall of the CISF-guarded Srinagar Central Jail on 23 August and were on the run for three days before being traced to Rajasthan — raising pointed questions about perimeter security at a facility that received elite paramilitary cover less than two years ago.
Key Takeaways
Farman Khan and Mukhtar Gujjar , both accused under the POCSO Act , were arrested in Rajasthan on 26 August .
The two had escaped Srinagar Central Jail on 23 August by scaling the front-side wall.
Khan is a resident of Sadanpora, Rajasthan ; Gujjar hails from Anantnag district , south Kashmir.
The jail has been guarded by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) since October 2023 .
Police had issued wanted notices and a reward for information before the tip-off led to their arrest.
Further investigation into the circumstances of the escape is ongoing, officials said.
Two men accused of child sexual assault under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, who had broken out of the high-security Srinagar Central Jail in Jammu and Kashmir, were arrested in Rajasthan on Wednesday, 26 August, according to officials. The fugitives — Farman Khan and Mukhtar Gujjar — were apprehended following a tip-off received by Srinagar Police.
How They Escaped
The two accused had fled the Srinagar Central Jail on 23 August by scaling the front-side wall of the prison, officials said. The facility is guarded by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which was deployed to provide armed cover to both the Srinagar and Jammu Central Jails in October 2023. The CISF is responsible for securing inner and outer perimeters using trained manpower, modern surveillance systems, and access control measures.
Who the Accused Are
Farman Khan, a resident of Sadanpora, Rajasthan, had been lodged in the Srinagar jail since 23 June in connection with an FIR registered at Lar police station in Ganderbal district, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 4 (penetrative sexual assault) of the POCSO Act.
Mukhtar Gujjar, a resident of Sanglan Chittergul in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, had been in custody since 13 April following a separate FIR registered at Soura police station in Srinagar, also under BNS provisions and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act. The two were booked in entirely separate cases, officials confirmed.
The Manhunt and Public Appeal
A large-scale manhunt was launched immediately after the escape was discovered. Police issued wanted notices for both men and announced a reward for information leading to their arrest. The public was urged to contact the nearest police station or dial 112 with any relevant information. Further details on the exact circumstances of their escape from the jail are still awaited, according to officials.
Security Questions for CISF
The jailbreak has raised questions about the adequacy of security protocols at the Srinagar Central Jail, which was specifically brought under CISF cover less than two years ago to strengthen its defences. That two undertrial prisoners could scale the front wall of a facility described as high-security — and remain at large for three days before being traced to another state — points to potential gaps in perimeter surveillance. Further investigation into the circumstances of the escape is underway, officials said.
Point of View
Arguably the most visible and monitored section of any facility. If the escape was possible despite modern surveillance and trained manpower, the failure is systemic, not incidental. Authorities owe the public a transparent inquiry rather than a quiet administrative note.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Farman Khan and Mukhtar Gujjar?
Farman Khan and Mukhtar Gujjar are two men accused of child sexual assault under the POCSO Act, booked in separate cases. Khan was arrested in connection with an FIR at Lar police station in Ganderbal, while Gujjar faced charges registered at Soura police station in Srinagar.
How did the accused escape from Srinagar Central Jail?
According to officials, both men escaped on 23 August by scaling the front-side wall of the Srinagar Central Jail. Further details on the exact circumstances of the escape are still being investigated.
Why is the Srinagar Central Jail under CISF protection?
The Central Industrial Security Force was deployed to guard the Srinagar Central Jail — along with the Jammu Central Jail — in October 2023 to provide armed cover and strengthen security at these sensitive facilities. The CISF is responsible for both inner and outer perimeter security.
How were the escaped accused traced to Rajasthan?
Srinagar Police received a tip-off that led to the arrest of both men in Rajasthan on 26 August, three days after their escape. Police had also issued wanted notices and announced a reward for information prior to the tip-off.
What charges do the two men face?
Both are charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act, which relate to penetrative sexual assault against children. They were booked in separate FIRs at different police stations in Jammu and Kashmir.
