Seven staffers of Kashimpur jail suspended over inmate's escape

Seven staff members of Kashimpur Central Women’s Jail have been suspended over alleged negligence after a female inmate escaped by scaling the prison's boundary wall, prompting an investigation and a manhunt.

The suspended officials include three matrons and four female prison guards, prison authorities said.

The escaped inmate, Mosammat Rimpa, 21, was found missing during a routine inmate count around 8:00pm on Thursday. Prison officials immediately searched the jail premises, but failed to locate her.

After confirming the escape, the prison authorities filed a case with Konabari Police Station on Friday, while law enforcement launched an operation to recapture the fugitive.

Confirming the disciplinary action, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Prisons Md Jannat-ul-Farhad said the seven officials were suspended on Friday following a preliminary inquiry that found evidence of negligence in the discharge of their duties.

According to prison sources, Rimpa is a resident of Raipur in Gangni upazila of Meherpur. She had been serving a three-month jail sentence after being convicted by a mobile court in Dhaka.

Kashimpur Central Women's Prison Superintendent Shirin Akter said efforts are continuing to locate and rearrest the escaped inmate, while an internal investigation into the security lapse remains underway.