The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has sought a report from state Director General (Prisons) Alok Kumar Roy and directed him to “conduct a high-level inquiry into systemic lapses” after a second incident of jailbreak was reported at Ambala Central Jail. In the recent incident, undertrial prisoner Ajay Kumar, a native of Bihar who is facing a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act registered by the Panchkula police in March 2024, escaped from the jail on September 28. According to the Commission, the accused escaped by climbing an 18-foot electricity pole and using overhead wires, aided by a power outage inside the jail premises. This is the second jailbreak incident reported in Ambala Central Jail within two months. In August, another undertrial prisoner, Sukhbir, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, had escaped from the prison. In its order pronounced on October 1, which was made available today, the full bench of the HHRC, comprising Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra, judicial member Kuldip Jain, and member Deep Bhatia observed that this “reflects a grave failure of prison security protocols”. ‘Clear violation of jail rules’ The Commission observed, “These events clearly indicate repeated and serious failures in ensuring the security and supervision of prisoners. As per official reports, Ajay Kumar was assigned work in the jail factory and was found missing during the routine afternoon headcount. CCTV footage confirmed that the prisoner scaled the wall near the factory and used the pole and overhead wires to escape.” “Ambala Jail Superintendent Satvinder Godara confirmed the incident and informed that two jail officials have been suspended, while chargesheets have been recommended against others for dereliction of duty. Multiple police teams, including CIA (Crime Investigation Agency) and Baldev Nagar police, are conducting search operations but till now neither Ajay Kumar nor the earlier escapee Sukhbir has been traced,” the HHRC added. The Commission said such incidents amount to a clear violation of the jail rules that mandate proper supervision, safe custody, and security of inmates. “According to these rules, the prison authorities are duty-bound to ensure safe custody of all prisoners, prevent escapes, and maintain structural and procedural safeguards. The repeated jailbreaks reveal that proper monitoring of high-risk prisoners, electrical safety, routine headcounts, and CCTV surveillance procedures are not being effectively implemented.” ‘Violating prisoners’ rights and endangering public’ It noted that such “repeated lapses and inadequate supervision” not only violate the human rights of undertrial prisoners but also endanger public safety. “The negligent management adversely impacts the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Failure to ensure secure custody of inmates poses a threat to society and exposes prisoners to extrajudicial risks, thereby undermining the rule of law and prescribed human rights standards,” the HHRC stated. “Despite CCTV cameras being installed in every corner of the jail campus, the failure of jail staff to monitor the footage shows gross negligence. Jail officials themselves admitted in news reports that CCTV footage confirmed how the prisoner escaped. These events highlight a collapse in supervision, accountability, and security, shaking public trust in the prison system,” the order added. Directions to Prisons DG The HHRC directed the DG (Prisons) to strengthen the security infrastructure, including surveillance, perimeter checks, electrical safety measures, and routine inmate counts; initiate disciplinary action against jail officials or employees found guilty of dereliction of duty. He must also ensure regular audits of Jail Rules compliance and human rights safeguards; submit progress reports to the Commission in a timely manner; and implement real-time monitoring of CCTV footage in letter and spirit across all jails in Haryana. Dr Puneet Arora, Protocol, Information & Public Relations Officer, HHRC, stated that the Commission expects the state government and the Prison Administration, under the supervision of the DG, “will take all necessary steps to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and ensure the secure custody of all undertrial prisoners in strict compliance with statutory provisions and human rights standards”. The matter will be heard next on November 20.
