Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Two persons facing separate cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, who allegedly escaped from Central Jail Srinagar three days ago, have been arrested by police, officials said on Wednesday.
A senior police official said the two accused escaped from the jail on August 23, following which police launched an extensive operation to trace and apprehend them.
The accused have been identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar, son of Mohammad Rafiq Gujjar and a resident of Sanglan Chittergul in Anantnag, and Farman Khan, son of Abdul Gani Khan and a resident of Sadanpora Rajistan.
According to police, Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar is accused in FIR No. 20/2026, registered at Police Station Soura under Sections 137(2) and 65(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3/4 of the POCSO Act.
Farman Khan is wanted in FIR No. 19/2026, registered at Police Station Lar under Sections 137(2) and 87 of the BNS and Sections 3/4 of the POCSO Act.
Both men had been lodged in Central Jail Srinagar in connection with their respective cases before their alleged escape.
Police had intensified efforts to locate the two accused following their escape and subsequently succeeded in apprehending them after three days.
The authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak, including how the two accused managed to leave the prison and whether any lapses in jail security or other factors contributed to the incident.
The senior police official said further investigation is underway, and details regarding the circumstances of their escape and subsequent arrest are expected to emerge as the inquiry progresses.
