SRINAGAR, August 23: Two undertrial prisoners, facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, have escaped from the Central Jail in Srinagar. Following their disappearance, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have issued lookout notices for the fugitives and appealed to the public for assistance in their apprehension.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the escapees have been identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar and Farman Khan. The Kashmir Zone Police confirmed their identities and the circumstances of their escape through a post on the social media platform X. Both individuals were lodged in the central jail as undertrials, awaiting trial for serious offences.
Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar, son of Mohammad Rafiq Gujjar, is a resident of Sanglan Chittergul in Anantnag district. He is reportedly facing charges in connection with FIR No. 20/2026, registered under sections 137(2), 65(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 3/4 of the POCSO Act at Police Station Soura. The specific details of the charges against him indicate a serious nature of the allegations.
The second escaped undertrial, Farman Khan, son of Abdul Gani Khan, hails from Sadanpora Ragistan. He is reportedly wanted in connection with FIR No. 19/2026, filed under sections 137(2), 87 of the BNS, and Section 3/4 of the POCSO Act at Police Station Lar. The parallel FIR numbers and similar charges suggest a potential connection between the two cases or a coordinated escape effort.
Authorities have stated that extensive efforts are currently underway to locate and apprehend both escaped undertrials. The police have urged the general public to share any information they might possess regarding the whereabouts of Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar and Farman Khan. Citizens are advised to contact their nearest police station or dial the emergency helpline number 112 to provide any leads. The police assured that any information leading to their capture would be suitably rewarded, underscoring the importance of public cooperation in resolving the situation.
The escape highlights potential security lapses within the central jail, prompting an internal review of security protocols. The incident has also raised concerns among law enforcement agencies regarding the potential threat posed by the fugitives to public safety, particularly given the nature of the charges they face under the POCSO Act. The police remain vigilant and are coordinating efforts across various districts to prevent the undertrials from evading capture.
The Chenab Times News Desk